There are several types of breast cancer but probably the most aggressive is what is known as inflammatory breast cancer. This rare cancer accounts for about 5% of all breast cancers in North America. It tends to occur more commonly in younger females, and is slightly more common in African Americans than Caucasian females.
Unlike other breast cancers which present with a breast lump, inflammatory breast cancer typically presents with redness, swelling and warmth around the breast. Usually there is no mass felt. Often the skin will appear pink- reddish and the ridges may have pits (often referred to as peau d’orange or color of an orange peel). Other patients may complain of breast tenderness or a burning sensation. The symptoms usually occur rather quickly over a period of few months. This presentation is often mistaken by physicians as an infection or some type of skin rash.
The diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer is based on the physician’s suspicion and a biopsy is definitely required for diagnosis. Mammograms and ultrasound are usually two other radiological studies done to look for a mass in the breast. Once the biopsy has proven positive, the treatment of this cancer is based on a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy or some type of hormonal treatment.
Because this cancer is somewhat aggressive, new therapies are consistently being devised. Currently there are some trials sponsored by the National Cancer institute where targeted therapy is used to treat this cancer. Participation in clinical trials is an option for patients with this cancer. The prognosis of inflammatory breast cancer depends on its stage.