Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer that accounts for about 1-5% of all breast cancers. It gets its name because the breast often looks swollen and red, similar to an inflammation.
How It Starts
IBC begins when cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. This blockage causes the breast to become swollen and red. Unlike some other types of breast cancer, IBC doesn’t usually form a lump and is not likely to show up on a mammogram, making it harder to diagnose.
Symptoms
Symptoms of IBC develop quickly (within 3-6 months) and include:- Swelling of the breast
- Redness involving more than one-third of the breast
- Pitting or thickening of the skin, making it look like an orange peel
- A retracted or inverted nipple
- One breast looking larger than the other
- The breast feeling warmer and heavier than the other
- Swelling of the lymph nodes under the arms or near the collarbone
Treatment
Treatment for IBC typically involves a combination of therapies:- Chemotherapy: Used first to shrink the cancer before surgery.
- Surgery: Usually a mastectomy to remove all cancerous tissue including the removal of the entire breast envelope (the skin, nipple, and areola) because the cancer affects the skin and underlying tissues.
- Radiation Therapy: To target any remaining cancer cells.
- Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy: May be used in addition to chemotherapy.
Survival Rates
Survival rates for IBC is a very aggressive breast cancer and tends be diagnosed at a later stage and therefore survival rates are typically low.- 5-year survival rate: Approximately 40%.
- 10-year survival rate: Approximately 20%.
Empower Yourself Now!
Emotional Support is critical to your healing. Even if everything goes smoothly with your treatment a cancer diagnosis is stressful – reach out to your support network to help you emotionally on a regular basis. And then there is Duality to fill in the gaps!
More Resources
References
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation, offering insights into the disease & current treatment
- Springer Reports,2025, review on updates in the management of IBC
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Discusses IBC & clinical trials