It is called as inflammatory as the breast becomes swollen or red. There are almost 1-5% of cases in USA with problem of such problem. Usually, such cancer has been diagnosed among the women of younger age. It is more in African Americans than in Whites. However, such type of cancer can occur in men but at an older age as compared to women. According to studies made, there can be confusion in breast cancer and inflammatory breast cancer. If you go for the check-up and notice the change in skin color on your breast then it will be helpful to differentiate between these two diseases.
Causes
It is said that causes of inflammatory breast cancer can be due to some kinds of infections. However, such theory is not considered as the main reason. The formation of such problem can be when breast cancer cells invade, while blocking the lymph vessel. After the fluid gets blocked, signs of this problem occur.
Symptoms
There are many symptoms of such disease. However, knowing whether it is actually the sign of inflammatory breast cancer can be confirmed only after it is diagnosed. Some quick onset symptoms can be swelling on the breast and color can be red around the area. As the breast skin is tethered, the fluid accumulation can make the skin breast to assume a dimpled form which will be same like an orange peel. However, it is said that such type of problem can be misdiagnosed due to some breast infection or insect bite. If the person have inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) problem then there is no presence of lump like other forms of breast cancer. Some other common symptoms are:
- Nipple retraction or discharge
- Unusual warmth of the affected breast
- Pain in the breast
- Sudden swelling of the breast
- Breast decreases instead of increasing
- Skin changes on breast
- Itching of breast
- Swelling of lymph nodes under the arm or in the neck
As such signs are common in most of other problems than IBC; your doctor can suspect them as a cause. This will result in delay of diagnosis. If the delay is too long, then chances of cancer to spread increases. By the time problem is diagnosis, the lymph nodes get enlarged under the arm or above the clavicle.
Diagnosis
This type of disease is often misdiagnosed with some other medical conditions. To confirm this problem, doctors will perform skin biopsy test, if treatments for another breast condition like infection fails.
If the results in biopsy for inflammatory breast cancer are positive then doctor will take further tests to know how much of the lymph nodes and breast tissue are involved and whether other breast is affected because of it. Test like magnetic resonance imaging, breast MRI are said to be the most reliable test to get the information about inflammatory breast cancer.
Treatment
1. Surgery: If breast cancer did not spread beyond the breast, a simple surgery called mastectomy is done to get rid of the tumor. However, this increases the chance of inflammatory breast cancer recurrence as skin is stitched after the operation.
2. Chemotherapy: Such treatment is usually given before surgery to eliminate the amount of tumor which is present and minimizes the chances of recurrence risk.
3. Bone marrow transplant: According to research made, if high doses of chemotherapy are given, then bone marrow is also advised. Even stem cell transplantation is effective to treat inflammatory breast cancer.
4. Radiation: Usually such treatment is given after chemotherapy and before surgery is done, this reduces an inoperable cancer so that surgery can be done. It can be also given after surgery to eliminate the risk of cancer to come back.
Prevention
By taking timely actions and right treatment can reduce the chances of increase in breast cancer. Follow healthy diet and minimize the intake of animal fat. If you consume less alcohol, it can surely eliminate the chances of cancer. Usually, cancer takes place due to excess consumption of meat, butter, animal fats, and eggs. If you increase your intake of fruits, dairy products, green vegetables and fish then surely chances of inflammatory breast cancer gets minimized.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What actions to take, if symptoms of this disease are found?
Ans. If you find any of the signs and symptoms of this problem for more than a week, then you are advised to immediately talk to your doctor.
2. How to differentiate inflammatory breast cancer with other types of breast cancer?
Ans. IBC is one of the types of breast cancer. It is the only breast cancer form in which there are no lymphs present. This makes it different and undetectable disease.
3. What is the survival rate?
Ans. According to research made, survival rate over five year a period was 40%. Most of the time, surgeon removes the breast early due to which the chances of re-occurrence increase.
4. What is the median age affected?
Ans. Usually women get affected with such problem. Middle age women of 40-45 years are susceptible to such type of problem.
5. Are there any clinical trials available? If yes, then where to get the information?
Ans. There are many clinical trials available. NCI is sponsoring for the clinical trial which is making research on new treatments and better ways to overcome current treatments side effects. Usually, before conducting any treatment, most of the health care experts advise clinical trial to find out whether treatment is safe for the patients and is effective. However, whether to take such trial or not is completely patients decision.
