Inflammatory Breast Cancer Treatment in Indore

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) – Detailed Description

IBC is a relatively rare and very aggressive type of breast cancer that develops rapidly, often without forming a distinct lump. Instead, it spreads via the lymphatic vessels within the skin of the breast, causing redness and swelling, which can give the impression of inflammation; hence, the name. IBC accounts for 1–5% of all breast cancers but is more aggressive than typical breast cancers.

How IBC Develops

Cancer cells block lymphatic vessels in the skin of the breast.

This blockage leads to fluid accumulation, thereby resulting in swelling, redness, and warmth.

Unlike other kinds of breast cancer, IBC most often spreads quickly to other lymph nodes and organs.

Who Can Get IBC?

IBC is most common in women under 50, but it can occur at any age.

The incidence is slightly higher in African-American women.

Risk factors include obesity, genetic predisposition related to BRCA mutations, and previous breast conditions; however, most cases arise without any specific known cause.

Symptoms

Often, IBC develops rapidly over weeks or months and may be accompanied by symptoms such as:

Swelling or enlargement of the breast

Red or purple skin with a “peau d’orange” (orange peel) appearance

Warmth and tenderness in the breast

Flattening or inversion of the nipple

The lump that is growing rapidly sometimes

Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone

Pain or heaviness in the breast

Note: The IBC might not present a clear lump, making its early detection difficult.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis requires a combination of physical examination, imaging, and biopsy.

Clinical evaluation involves an assessment of skin changes and breast swelling.

Mammography & Ultrasound – often less definitive than in typical breast cancer

MRI is better for assessing the extent of the disease

Biopsy-core needle biopsy, or skin punch biopsy, to confirm cancer cells

Evaluation of lymph nodes: This may involve sentinel node biopsy or imaging.

Overview of Treatment

IBC is aggressive, and the treatment is usually multimodal:

1. Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Preoperative chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumour and involved skin

Helps control the disease and improves surgical outcomes.

2. Surgery

Modified radical mastectomy (removal of the breast and lymph nodes in the vicinity)

Generally, skin involvement is a contraindication to lumpectomy.

3. Radiation Therapy

It usually follows surgery to kill residual cancer cells.

Targets the chest wall and regional lymph nodes

4. Targeted Therapy

Used for cancers that have specific markers:

HER2-positive IBC is usually treated with either trastuzumab or pertuzumab.

Hormone receptor-positive IBC: may include hormone-blocking therapy

5. Supportive & Palliative Care

Pain, lymphedema, and other side effects management

Psychological and nutritional support

Prognosis

IBC is more aggressive than other types of breast cancer and tends to spread fast.

Early diagnosis and combined therapy significantly improve outcomes.

While survival rates have improved with modern treatments, they remain lower than for other types of breast cancer.

Follow-Up & Monitoring

Routine imaging and physical exams after treatment

Monitoring for recurrence or metastasis, Long-term care for side effects, and quality of life