[brian]

Have you heard of Inflammatory Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is something women think they know all about: Look for lumps; have mammograms; see our doctors.


But none of that will save you from one silent breast cancer killer that women know virtually nothing about.

It's called "inflammatory breast cancer," and it's something every woman must know about.

Nancy Key didn't know.
What is IBC? Click here to watch the KOMO TV 4 video.

According to the National Cancer Institute, Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an uncommon type of breast cancer in which breast cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast, a type of breast cancer that may not be apparent through routine screening methods (e.g., feeling for lumps, mammograms):
This blockage may cause the breast to become red, swollen, and warm. The skin of the breast may also appear pink, purple, or bruised, and it may have ridges or appear pitted, like the skin of an orange (called peau d'orange). These changes often occur quickly over a period of weeks. Another possible sign of this type of breast cancer is swollen lymph nodes under the arm, above the collarbone, or in both places. Often, a tumor cannot be felt, and may not be seen on a mammogram. The diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer is based on the results of the biopsy and the doctor's clinical judgment.
According to the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include:

• A breast that appears red, purple, pink or bruised
• A tender, firm and enlarged breast
• A warm feeling in the breast
• Itching of the breast
• Pain
• Ridged or dimpled skin texture, similar to an orange peel
• Thickened areas of skin
• Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm, above the collarbone or below the collarbone
• Flattening or retraction of the nipple
• Swollen or crusted skin on the nipple
• Change in color of the skin around the nipple (areola)

Inflammatory breast cancer is of particular concern because it progresses rapidly, and in most women it is already quite advanced before the symptoms become severe enough for them to seek medical attention. IBC was previously treated through surgery and was almost always fatal; nowadays, additional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy have greatly increased the chances of survival for IBC patients.



Resources on Inflammatory Breast Cancer:

• Inflammatory Breast Cancer - Fact Sheet from National Cancer Institute
• The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation
• Mayo Clinic - Inflammatory Breast Cancer
• Inflammatory Breast Cancer Association

[Kim O'Therapy]

Thank you for posting this. My mother has been fighting IBC since February 2001. She works at getting the same message out. No lump does NOT mean no cancer.

[Jess1983]

I actually saw a case of this!!! It's pretty scary looking!!

[pgrsctrn2be]

I lost my mother to this in 1990. She survived only 16 monthes after the dx. Treated with surgery, chemo and radiation. Thanks for helping to spread the word to others.

[Kim O'Therapy]

Originally Posted by pgrsctrn2be

I lost my mother to this in 1990. She survived only 16 monthes after the dx. Treated with surgery, chemo and radiation. Thanks for helping to spread the word to others.

I'm sorry to hear about your mother. Did it mets to her lungs? My mother had mets to her lungs, but is in remission now. After her mastectomy, she had a reoccurance right on the incision line. She has already told us that if/when it comes back - she will not take Abraxane (chemo drug) again. This is an agressive, hideous disease. Again, I'm sorry for your loss - I know what you must have been through. Would it be OK if I IM'd you sometime for support?