Inflammatory Breast Cancer Symptoms

The symptoms I experienced appeared gradually over the course of several months in the following order: firmness akin to inflammation, red splotchiness in a different location, red orange-peel-like skin in a second location, raised red rash in a third location, and nipple inversion. I never experience heat, itchiness, or pain, although these are common symptoms. Also, I was lactating as my symptoms were developing, greatly confounding and delaying my diagnosis. If you have these symptoms and they are NOT relieved by a course of antibiotics, demand a biopsy. My inflammatory breast cancer was only discovered after I found a surgeon who was concerned enough to do a biopsy. The symptoms I experienced appeared gradually over the course of several months in the following order: firmness akin to inflammation, red splotchiness in a different location, red orange-peel-like skin in a second location, raised red rash in a third location, and nipple inversion. I never experience heat, itchiness, or pain, although these are common symptoms. Also, I was lactating as my symptoms were developing, greatly confounding and delaying my diagnosis. If you have these symptoms and they are NOT relieved by a course of antibiotics, demand a biopsy. My inflammatory breast cancer was only discovered after I found a surgeon who was concerned enough to do a biopsy.

If you have symptoms that are worrisome of IBC or Paget's disease of the breast it is important that you have a skin/punch biopsy to rule out this diagnosis.
I would urge any woman who is experiencing symptoms to get a second opinion such as seeing another pcp or even going to a dermatologist. If your insurance does not require referrals make an appointment to see a breast specialist/surgeon. Do NOT ignore any symptoms because every person has a different severity in their presentation of IBC or Paget's disease of the breast.
Hope that helps.
Heather
www.mybreastcanceranswers.com If you have symptoms that are worrisome of IBC or Paget's disease of the breast it is important that you have a skin/punch biopsy to rule out this diagnosis.
I would urge any woman who is experiencing symptoms to get a second opinion such as seeing another pcp or even going to a dermatologist. If your insurance does not require referrals make an appointment to see a breast specialist/surgeon. Do NOT ignore any symptoms because every person has a different severity in their presentation of IBC or Paget's disease of the breast.
Hope that helps.
Heather
www.mybreastcanceranswers.com

Great question! Inflammatory breast cancer is a clinical diagnosis, meaning it is diagnosed by visible signs. Right now there is no diagnostic test to determine if a patient has inflammatory breast cancer.

To be proactive it is important to pay attention to your body. As suggested by breast self-exam, look in a mirror at your breasts. Notice if there is a change in the size, shape, skin color or texture of the breasts. Compare one with the other. If you notice a change of any kind see your healthcare provider to rule out inflammatory breast cancer if the change doesn't resolve within two weeks on its own.

Inflammatory breast cancer usually develops suddenly and worsens fairly quickly.

Fortunately most breast changes are not cancer but it's important not to ignore things. Great question! Inflammatory breast cancer is a clinical diagnosis, meaning it is diagnosed by visible signs. Right now there is no diagnostic test to determine if a patient has inflammatory breast cancer.

To be proactive it is important to pay attention to your body. As suggested by breast self-exam, look in a mirror at your breasts. Notice if there is a change in the size, shape, skin color or texture of the breasts. Compare one with the other. If you notice a change of any kind see your healthcare provider to rule out inflammatory breast cancer if the change doesn't resolve within two weeks on its own.

Inflammatory breast cancer usually develops suddenly and worsens fairly quickly.

Fortunately most breast changes are not cancer but it's important not to ignore things.

The most common symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include but are not limited to:
-Rapid, unusual increase in breast size
-Redness, rash, blotchiness' of the breast skin
-What appears to be a 'bug bite' or 'bruise' that doesn't go away
-Persistent itching of breast and/or nipple
-Lump or thickening of breast tissue
-Stabbing pain, soreness, aching or heaviness similar to breast feeding
-Feverish breast (increased warmth)
-Swelling of lymph nodes under the arm or above the collar bone
-Dimpling or ridging of breast
-Flattening or retracting of nipple
-Nipple discharge or change in pigmented area around nipple
* The above symptoms may indicate a benign breast disorder. However any change to your breast(s) should be reported to your physician immediately, if it doesn't resolve within two weeks on its own.

Inflammatory breast cancer is more common in younger women and tends to have a higher incidence in African American women. Some other ethnic groups also show a slight increase in incidence. Statistics on inflammatory breast cancer are challenging because the disease is less common and often recorded as simply advanced breast cancer in the patient's medical record. The most common symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include but are not limited to:
-Rapid, unusual increase in breast size
-Redness, rash, blotchiness' of the breast skin
-What appears to be a 'bug bite' or 'bruise' that doesn't go away
-Persistent itching of breast and/or nipple
-Lump or thickening of breast tissue
-Stabbing pain, soreness, aching or heaviness similar to breast feeding
-Feverish breast (increased warmth)
-Swelling of lymph nodes under the arm or above the collar bone
-Dimpling or ridging of breast
-Flattening or retracting of nipple
-Nipple discharge or change in pigmented area around nipple
* The above symptoms may indicate a benign breast disorder. However any change to your breast(s) should be reported to your physician immediately, if it doesn't resolve within two weeks on its own.

Inflammatory breast cancer is more common in younger women and tends to have a higher incidence in African American women. Some other ethnic groups also show a slight increase in incidence. Statistics on inflammatory breast cancer are challenging because the disease is less common and often recorded as simply advanced breast cancer in the patient's medical record.

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a clinical diagnosis, meaning the diagnosis is based on the visible changes to the breast. However, there are other symptoms, not all visible, that patients have reported.

Typical symptoms include (but are not limited to):
--rapid, unusual increase in breast size
--redness, rash, 'blotchiness' of breast skin
--what appears to be a 'bug bite' or 'bruise' that doesn't go away
--persistent itching of breast or nipple
--lump or thickening of breast tissue
--stabbing pain, soreness, heaviness, aching or breast feeding 'let down' feeling in the breast
--feverish bresat (increased warmth)
--swelling of lymph nodes under the arm or above the collar bone
--dimpling or ridging of breast
--flattening or retracting of nipple
--nipple discharge or change in pigmented area around nipple

One or more of the above symptoms may be present but seldom all. It is important to note that any of the above symptoms can be associated with a benign (non-cancerous) condition. However, it is important to report any breast change to your physician if it doesn't resolve within two weeks, on its own.

To see photos of various presentations of IBC, check out www.ibcresearch.org and the photo link on the left column. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a clinical diagnosis, meaning the diagnosis is based on the visible changes to the breast. However, there are other symptoms, not all visible, that patients have reported.

Typical symptoms include (but are not limited to):
--rapid, unusual increase in breast size
--redness, rash, 'blotchiness' of breast skin
--what appears to be a 'bug bite' or 'bruise' that doesn't go away
--persistent itching of breast or nipple
--lump or thickening of breast tissue
--stabbing pain, soreness, heaviness, aching or breast feeding 'let down' feeling in the breast
--feverish bresat (increased warmth)
--swelling of lymph nodes under the arm or above the collar bone
--dimpling or ridging of breast
--flattening or retracting of nipple
--nipple discharge or change in pigmented area around nipple

One or more of the above symptoms may be present but seldom all. It is important to note that any of the above symptoms can be associated with a benign (non-cancerous) condition. However, it is important to report any breast change to your physician if it doesn't resolve within two weeks, on its own.

To see photos of various presentations of IBC, check out www.ibcresearch.org and the photo link on the left column.