Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. IBC usually doesn't have a distinct lump like other types of breast cancer. It’s a type of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC); however, IBC symptoms, outlook and treatment are different.

IBC usually has symptoms that resemble an infection or inflammation, such as redness, swelling and warmth in the affected breast area. There may be a rash in the early stages. Because symptoms often resemble an infection, inflammatory breast cancer is often misdiagnosed.

Our cancer specialists at Advocate Cancer Institute are here for you if you have received an inflammatory breast cancer diagnosis. We offer the latest diagnostic tests and treatments, including genetic testing and access to clinical trials.

Find a cancer care center near you.

How rare is inflammatory breast cancer?

Compared to other types of breast cancer, IBC is considered rare. It accounts for 1-5% of all breast cancer cases. It’s rare for men to get inflammatory breast cancer. When it does occur, it is more common in older men.

Even though it's rare, IBC is aggressive, often diagnosed in a more advanced stage as cancer is rapidly spreading. Given its aggressive nature and potential for rapid progression, early detection through self-exams and prompt treatment are vital for improving outcomes.

The lack of a distinct lump in IBC can make it more difficult to detect through mammograms or other imaging tests.

Risk factors for inflammatory breast cancer

Risk factors for inflammatory breast cancer include a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors.

While some risk factors for IBC are like those for other types of breast cancer, there are also factors that appear to be more specifically associated with IBC.

Some known risk factors for inflammatory breast cancer include:

• Age: IBC tends to occur at a younger age and is more commonly diagnosed in women under 50.
• Family history: Having a family history of breast cancer or certain genetic mutations can increase the risk of developing IBC. However, most cases of IBC occur in individuals without a family history of the disease.
• Hormonal factors: Factors such as early onset of menstruation, late onset of menopause and hormone replacement therapy may increase your risk.
• Childbirth and breastfeeding: Women who have never given birth or who have had their first child at a later age may have a slightly higher risk of developing IBC. Conversely, women who breastfed their children may have a reduced risk of breast cancer, including IBC.
• Prior radiation therapy: Previous radiation therapy to the chest area may increase the risk of developing inflammatory breast cancer later in life.

Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer has a group of symptoms that sets it apart from other types of breast cancer.

These symptoms typically develop rapidly and may include:

• Redness and warmth: The affected breast may appear red or pink, and it may feel warmer to the touch compared to the unaffected breast.
• Swelling and enlargement: Your breast may become noticeably swollen and enlarged compared to the unaffected breast. This swelling can occur rapidly over weeks or even days.
• Skin changes: The skin may become thickened, pitted or dimpled, resembling the texture of an orange peel. The skin may also appear ridged or have an uneven texture.
• Breast pain or tenderness: You may experience breast pain or tenderness, although this symptom is not always noticeable.
• Inverted nipple or other nipple changes: The nipple may turn inward or may appear flattened or retracted. Other changes in the appearance of the nipple, such as scaling or discharge, may also occur.
• Rapid onset of symptoms: Unlike other types of breast cancer, IBC symptoms typically develop rapidly over weeks or months, rather than gradually.

Because symptoms of IBC may resemble those of other less serious conditions, it may be difficult to detect. Call your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any unusual changes in your breasts.

Stages of inflammatory breast cancer

After a diagnosis, your care team will determine whether cancer has spread and if so, to what extent. This is known as staging, and it’s crucial for knowing how severe the cancer is. Staging also helps develop the right treatment plan for you.

Breast cancer stages range from stage 0 (carcinoma in situ) to stage IV (metastatic cancer). The lower the stage, the less it has spread. The higher the stage, the more it has spread. Cancers in higher stages have lower survival rates.

Diagnosing inflammatory breast cancer

Diagnosing inflammatory breast cancer involves a combination of exams, imaging tests and biopsies. Due to its aggressive nature, your doctor may collaborate with breast cancer specialists to confirm diagnosis and develop treatment.

Your doctor will review your medical history and risk factors, discuss any symptoms and conduct a physical exam.

Imaging tests are an important part of diagnosing inflammatory breast cancer, including a mammogram, breast ultrasound and MRI.

A biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of IBC. This typically involves removing a small tissue sample from the affected breast or nearby lymph nodes for examination under a microscope.

There are different types of biopsies, including:

• Core needle biopsy: A hollow needle is used to extract a small sample of tissue from the breast.
• Fine needle aspiration (FNA): A thin needle is used to withdraw cells from the breast for analysis.
• Surgical biopsy: In some cases, a surgical procedure may be performed to obtain a larger tissue sample for analysis.

A pathologist will examine the tissue sample from the biopsy to identify characteristics of the cancer cells and to confirm or deny the presence of IBC.

Following confirmation of diagnosis, further tests may be performed to determine the cancer stage, which is crucial for guiding treatment decisions and prognosis assessment.

Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer

Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer involves a collaborative approach by your care team. Treatment is aimed at controlling the disease locally within the breast and addressing any spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant organs.

Because IBC is aggressive and often diagnosed at a later stage, treatment is usually intensive and may include a combination of the following therapies or surgical options:

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is employed for more aggressive cancers and usually given before surgery to shrink the tumor and slow the spread.
• Surgery: Surgery options include mastectomy (partial or full removal of breast tissue) or lymph node dissection to remove nearby lymph nodes that are affected.
• Radiation therapy: Following surgery, radiation therapy may be administered to eliminate any residual cancer cells in the breast and reduce the risk of recurrence.
• Targeted therapy: Certain cancers express specific molecular targets that can be addressed with targeted medications. These drugs aim to disrupt the formation of new blood vessels, thereby slowing tumor growth.
• Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy is used to block or reduce estrogen that is feeding cancer cells, which allows them to grow faster.

Additionally, supportive care services such as counseling, nutrition therapy, palliative care and physical therapy are offered to address both the impact cancer treatments have on your physical and emotional health.