Inflammatory Breast Cancer Symptoms

Inflammatory breast cancer takes lives of most of the people who develop it. It is
a very "hostile" type of cancer, which thankfully, is also rare. It gets its name
from the inflammation the breasts of the victim develop. Contrary to other forms
of cancer, inflammatory breast cancer can develop in relatively younger females,
too. Rarely do men develop IBC.

In Inflammatory breast cancer, the cancer cells block lymph vessels of the breast.
This gives rise to the apparent inflammation and redness of the breast of a person
diagnosed with IBC. Other forms of cancer usually develop in women as they age,
but that is not the case with IBC. It can occur in young women, too. It is also
said that African American women are more prone to developing IBC, and at a
younger age too, compared to White women.

The progression of IBC is its most alarming feature. The time lapse between the
first symptom appearing and the cancer reaching a very advanced stage may be leek
than two weeks. This however, may be one of the reasons for early diagnosis of
IBC, since the symptoms are very apparent early on due to the cancer's fast
advancement.

Mammography and ultrasounds are not the best diagnosis techniques for Inflammatory
breast cancer, since it is not usually accompanied with the formation of a lump.
This characteristic makes the cancer undetectable. However, if other symptoms
prevail, a biopsy can certainly determine if cancer growth is present.

If you have developed IBC, your breast will appear extremely red or purple, often
bruised and tender. The breast also gets enormously swelled, giving rise to its
inflamed look. The breast size will increase rapidly, and there might be perpetual
itching, too. You might get inverted nipples, a heavy aching and burning feel
around the breast. The skin around the breast may also appear bumpy, like the skin
of an orange, which gives name to the condition's medical term, peau d'orange.
This condition occurs due to fluid accumulation. Other symptoms are changes of
color or texture in the skin around the nipple (areola), swelling of the nipple,
swelling under the arm and on top and below the collarbone.

IBC is often confused with mastitis or breast infections that show the same
symptoms. Sometimes, previous operations can partially block the lymph vessels of
the breast, too, and give rise to redness and tenderness. This should not be
confused with Inflammatory breast cancer. Remember, the symptoms regress after a
week or two or treatment for mastitis.

The mortality rate for IBC used to be 100% some decades back. Now, due to great
advancement in technology, it has dropped down to 30% to 50%. Systemic therapy is
a great treatment option with both chemotherapy and hormone therapy tried. This is
usually followed by a surgery - neoadjuvant therapy - which should ideally be
followed by mastectomy. Radiation therapy following the above combination of
treatments reduces the chances of a redevelopment of cancer greatly.

Through all the misery of Inflammatory breast cancer, you should remember the
figures of mortality rate decreasing immensely. These indicate that you have a
great chance of fighting if off and being happy like all other people that you
know.

More facts and details about breast cancer treatments, symptoms and causes at
http://www.BreastCancerAndTreatment.com/