Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Rash, Itch, Pain and Swelling

Sometimes a woman "just knows" that something is wrong. This may be particularly true when a woman experiences subtle, yet troubling changes in her breast. Until recently, many patients --- as well as many doctors --- were not connecting these subtle breast changes with the need to explore the possibility of breast cancer. Instead, breast cancer diagnosis involved a search for tumors. But you don't have to have a lump to have breast cancer! Inflammatory breast cancer often occurs without creating solid masses. According to WebMD, "inflammatory breast cancer is an accelerated form of breast cancer that is usually not detected by mammogram or ultrasound."

Inflammatory breast cancer progresses quickly

Although inflammatory breast cancer is rare (WebMD states it accounts for about 1 - 3% of breast cancers), it is often advanced and aggressive by the time it is diagnosed. Many women, such as Jennifer Murphy of the Chicago area, had never heard of IBC until they received it as a diagnosis --- and were whisked into full-on treatment protocols. IBC Research explains that inflammatory breast cancer "is treated differently than more common types of breast cancer." Because symptoms can develop even in a matter of days, IBC "requires immediate aggressive treatment with chemotherapy prior to surgery."

Early signs and symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer grows in sheets or nests under the skin, rather than lumps. IBC Support Group states that this cancer "blocks the lymph vessels in the breast and skin." This blockage causes changes in the skin of the breast and leads to many of the other signs and symptoms of IBC.

According to IBC Support and the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms of IBC may include rash, discoloration, bruising and thickening or dimpling of the breast skin. The breast may swell, as may lymph nodes under the arm or above or below the collarbone. The breast may be itchy, painful or both. Any changes in the nipple, including flattening, inversion or a discharge, require immediate evaluation.

The IBC Research Organization reports that the most common symptom of IBC is "skin thickening and diffusely increased density" of the breast. However, it's very important for women concerned about inflammatory breast cancer to note that the subtle changes caused by IBC --- even to the nipple --- are difficult to detect on standard mammograms and ultrasound. As one newly diagnosed patient told IBC Research, "I had to be very persistent and almost aggressive to find out the truth."

Dr. Nora Jaskowiak, surgical director of the University of Chicago Breast Center, put it this way: inflammatory breast cancer just isn't "on people's radar" yet. Hopefully, increased awareness of IBC --- among doctors as well as patients --- will help women get the treatment they need earlier and with less hassle.

The "rules" for other cancers don't apply to inflammatory breast cancer

Like all diseases, signs and symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer overlap with other conditions. IBC, for example, may be confused with mastitis, an infection of the breast that is treated with antibiotics. Nevertheless, Murphy, the Chicago woman who faced IBC a few years ago, urges women to pay attention to even subtle changes, especially when those changes occur in only one breast. Dr. Jaskowiak advises that, unless you are nursing, any breast swelling should be evaluated by your doctor. Breast pain also should not be ignored. One woman's story was:

When I first experienced pain in my breast, I made an appointment with my internist and my OB/GYN. I found comfort when after both examinations, both doctors separately told me: "The good news is that cancer doesn't hurt." I held on to those words for five months before the pain and breast became worse and I was diagnosed with IBC.

You don't have to have a lump to have breast cancer.

Every year, breast cancer awareness month comes and goes --- but here's to taking care of yourself with loving awareness all year long!

More B. A. Rogers: Vitamin C May Lower C-Reactive Protein, an Important Biomarker for Inflammation and Stress Relief Tip: Get Plenty of Vitamin G.

Sources:

"Inflammatory Breast Cancer Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatments," WebMD.

"Hard-to-detect breast cancer moves fast," Chicago Sun-Times.

"You Don't Have to Have a Lump to Have Breast Cancer," Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Organization.

"What is Inflammatory Breast Cancer?," Inflammatory Breast Cancer Support Group.

"Symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer," Mayo Clinic.

"Words From Newly Diagnosed IBC Patients," Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Organization.

"Imaging & IBC; Mammography, Ultrasonography and Inflammatory Breast Cancer," Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Organization.