Snippy
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Inflammatory Breast Cancer - FYIThey had a piece on the news about this yesterday. I've never heard of it, and that was the point of the news piece that most people haven't heard of it. It's often misdiagnosed, and it's more aggressive and difficult to treat than the typical tumors we think of.
| Quote: | Inflammatory breast cancer is a unique and uncommon type of breast cancer. It is unique in that inflammatory breast cancer does not produce a distinct mass or lump that can be felt within the breast. The lack of a lump or mass also makes inflammatory breast cancer difficult to detect by mammograms. Inflammatory breast cancer cells infiltrate the skin and lymph vessels of the breast. When the lymph vessels become blocked by the breast cancer cells the breast typically becomes red, swollen, and warm. The skin changes associated with inflammatory can cause the breast skin to look like the skin of an orange a finding called peau d'orange. The appearance of the breast is similar to other inflammatory conditions such as cellulitis or mastitis. Other possible associate symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes under the arm or above the collar bone on the affected side.
Inflammatory breast cancer is diagnosed based upon the results of a biopsy and the clinical judgment of the treating physician. Typically, inflammatory breast cancer grows rapidly and requires aggressive treatment. There are two aspects to treating all breast cancer, local treatment and systemic or total body treatment. Because inflammatory breast cancer is aggressive, most oncologists recommend both systemic and local treatment. The typical sequence of treatment is to start with chemotherapy, systemic treatment, followed by surgery and radiation therapy, which are the local treatments, often followed by additional chemotherapy and possibly hormone treatments. With aggressive treatment using this multimodality approach, the 5 year survival for inflammatory breast cancer has improved significantly from an average survival of 18 months to an approximately 50% survival rate at 5 years.
How many cases of IBC are diagnosed each year?
The numbers vary, but approximately 1% to 2% of newly diagnosed invasive breast cancers (that have spread beyond the breast) in the United States are described as inflammatory breast cancers.
What are the symptoms of IBC?
Symptoms may include:
* One breast larger than the other
* Red or pink skin
* Swelling
* Rash (entire breast or small patches)
* Orange-like texture (peau d' orange)
* Skin hot to the touch
* Pain and/or itchiness
* Ridges or thickened areas of breast
* Nipple discharge
* Nipples that appear inverted or flattened
* Swollen lymph nodes under the armpit
* Swollen lymph nodes of the neck (sometimes)
What should people do if they have IBC symptoms?
If one or more symptoms continue for more than a week, look for information and talk to a physician with experience with this particular type of breast cancer.
The resources below may help guide you to physicians and centers with this expertise.
How old are typical IBC patients at diagnosis?
The median age range is between 45 and 55 years old, but there may be patients either younger or older. The symptoms must guide the diagnosis, and age should not be used to exclude it.
How well do diagnostic tests work in identifying IBC?
IBC typically cannot be identified through:
Mammogram - Because IBC usually does not occur in the form of a lump (the cancer is spread throughout breast tissue), it is difficult to detect with a mammogram. The most characteristic mammography findings consist of swelling of the skin.
Ultrasound - This test confirms the swelling (edema) of the skin and can better identify breast nodules (if present). It also is the most appropriate test for the evaluation of lymph nodes. |
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jennkat
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I saw a story about this on the news a while back also. Super scary stuff! It seems to be much harder to diagnose and apparently many women have it and won't know until it is to late. Scary!!! Great post Snippy, the best way to help is to be informed!!
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suebsue
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I'm one of those that had never heard of it. Thanks Snippy!
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Tori911
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Thanks Snippy...great info. I am familiar with it but many women are not. I hope everyone is doing their monthy breast exams!!!
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SAMISAMGIRL
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There is a good video of it and what it looks like outside vs. inside the body. I'll look back thru old emails and see if I can find the link.
Thanks for the reminder. Scary that too many women have never heard of this type of breast cancer. Its just NOT widely broadcasted.
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pandi
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I saw that too. Glad you posted this.
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mystalkal1
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thanks for the heads up on this !
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dhgirl
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Wow that is scary. Thanks for posting that Heather.
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