Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare but fast-growing type of breast cancer. It causes the breast to look red and swollen, which can develop quite suddenly. In this video we'll explain: What to look for; why urgent assessment is important; and how this type is treated. In inflammatory breast cancer, cancer cells block the tiny lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. This blockage causes the breast to become inflamed and swollen. The skin may look red, pink, or darker than usual, and may feel warm, or tender. Unlike other breast cancers, inflammatory breast cancer often does not cause a distinct lump. Instead, you may notice that the breast looks different, the skin appears thickened or pitted like orange peel, or the nipple becomes inverted. For this cancer type, symptoms typically appear within days or weeks. These symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for a breast infection called mastitis. If you are given antibiotics and your symptoms do not improve within a week or two, it is important to return to your doctor. Inflammatory breast cancer needs prompt investigation. Diagnosis involves a clinical examination, imaging such as mammogram or ultrasound, and a biopsy of the breast skin and tissue. Because this cancer can grow quickly, it is important that testing happens without delay so treatment can begin as soon as possible. Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer usually begins with chemotherapy. This is called neo-adjuvant treatment and aims to shrink the cancer before surgery. If the cancer is HER2-positive, targeted therapy will also be given alongside chemotherapy. After chemotherapy, surgery is performed to remove the breast and affected lymph nodes. This is usually followed by radiotherapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells. The full treatment can take several months but is designed to give you the best possible outcome. Inflammatory breast cancer is serious, but it is treatable. Advances in chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiotherapy have improved outcomes significantly. If you notice sudden changes to your breast, such as redness, swelling, or skin changes, please see your GP urgently. If you have already been diagnosed and have questions about your treatment, your breast-care nurse is there to help. Facing a diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer can feel overwhelming. Support is available from your clinical team, specialist nurses, and cancer charities.