Inflammatory breast cancer: Fast-moving form often lacks lump as warning sign
Inflammatory breast cancer is a fast-moving cancer that doesn't usually form a lump; instead, the skin on one breast changes rapidly, explains Tina Hieken, M.D., a surgical oncologist at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Inflammatory breast cancer is a rapidly progressing form of breast cancer that typically does not present as a lump. Instead, the breast skin undergoes a sudden change, displaying symptoms such as altered skin color, warmth, and an orange peel texture, also known as peau d'orange. These symptoms may be mistaken for cellulitis, mastitis, or Paget's disease, leading to potential misdiagnosis.
Affecting roughly 1% to 5% of breast cancer diagnoses and 10% of breast cancer deaths, inflammatory breast cancer highlights the importance of recognizing skin changes as potential warning signs, especially in women without breastfeeding-related redness. The rapid development of symptoms, often within a few months, differs from the more typical progression seen in other breast cancer types, where lumps may form over time and be accompanied by later skin changes.
The treatment of inflammatory breast cancer involves systemic therapy targeting the cancer's biological features, such as estrogen receptor expression or HER2 overexpression, followed by surgery and radiation. Recent innovations include targeted therapies for HER2-positive inflammatory breast cancer and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) tailored to individual patients, enhancing treatment efficacy and outcomes.
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