What is Inflammatory Breast Cancer? 6 Things to Know About Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare yet aggressive form of breast cancer, representing between 1% and 6% of all breast cancer cases. Unlike other types of breast cancers, inflammatory breast cancer progresses quickly, often within three to six months. That’s why early detection is important.  

What does inflammatory breast cancer look like?

Inflammatory breast cancer looks different than typical breast cancers.  

While many breast cancers are detected as a mass during an exam or on a routine mammogram, inflammatory breast cancer is often identified by visible skin changes and clinical symptoms rather than a lump. 

These changes can easily be mistaken for less serious conditions, like infections or mastitis, which is why it’s important to pay attention to changes.

If you notice sudden breast changes — especially redness, warmth, swelling, “orange peel breast,” or a rash that doesn’t improve in a few days — consult your doctor immediately.

See an image of inflammatory breast cancer from the American Cancer Society.

What are symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer?

Because inflammatory breast cancer advances quickly and often does not form a clear lump, it is important to act on any sudden, unusual changes that persist beyond a week or two. Not everyone will have the same symptoms, and they may not all occur at once. 

Common symptoms include:

• Breast Swelling: One breast may become noticeably larger than the other, sometimes within days or weeks.
• Skin Discoloration: Red or purple areas may appear on the breast, resembling a bruise or rash that doesn't improve over time.
• Peau d'Orange: Also known as “orange peel breast.” The skin may look dimpled or thick, with visible pores, similar to an orange peel, due to blocked lymph drainage.
• Nipple Changes: Sudden retraction or inversion of the nipple can occur.
• Other Symptoms: Persistent itchiness, warmth, heaviness, swollen lymph nodes under the arm, and tenderness or pain in the breast tissue.

If you experience any combination of these symptoms, contact your healthcare team. Early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes.

What are causes and risk factors for inflammatory breast cancer?

Inflammatory breast cancer occurs when cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin and breast tissue. The exact cause is unknown, but certain factors increase the risk. Those include:

• Age: Inflammatory breast cancer disproportionately affects younger women, sometimes even women under 40.
• Race and ethnicity: African American women are at higher risk.
• Previous breast conditions: A history of breast infections or related health issues may increase risk.

How is inflammatory breast cancer diagnosed?

Because it is aggressive, timely and accurate diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer is essential. Your doctor may use a combination of clinical evaluations and advanced imaging to identify IBC. 

Diagnosis tools include:

• Imaging Tests: Mammography, ultrasound, and MRI help evaluate breast changes.
• Biopsy: Tissue samples confirm the presence of cancer and help determine its characteristics.
• Staging Tests: Assess the extent of disease spread, which is crucial for planning treatment.

How is inflammatory breast cancer treated?

Inflammatory breast cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage because it progresses quickly. Advances in treatment continue to improve survival for IBC.  

Treatment typically involves a combination of therapies including:

• Neoadjuvant Therapy: Chemotherapy and targeted therapy to shrink the tumor before surgery.
• Surgery: To remove the affected breast tissue.
• Radiation Therapy: To eliminate remaining cancer cells.
• Systemic Therapies: May include targeted endocrine therapies and immunotherapy.
• Metastatic IBC may require long term therapies

What are the stages of inflammatory breast cancer?

Cancer stage refers to the size of a tumor and whether it has spread to other organs.

Most cases of inflammatory breast cancer are at least Stage III at diagnosis. If it has spread to other organs, it is classified as Stage IV metastatic.

Awareness and early detection are crucial to successful inflammatory breast cancer treatment. Trust your instincts when something feels different about your body, and don’t hesitate to seek professional evaluation.  

Learn more about breast cancer treatment at Ochsner Health.