Inflammatory Breast Cancer – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Inflammatory breast cancer develops when cells in breast tissue grow abnormally and spread to lymphatic vessels in the skin. These cells can block the vessels, causing the breast to appear swollen with red or purple skin discoloration.
This rare form of breast cancer is classified as locally advanced. This means it has spread beyond its origin to nearby tissues and possibly nearby lymph nodes.
Many people mistake inflammatory breast cancer for a common breast infection because the symptoms look similar. The main signs include breast swelling and noticeable skin changes.
Unlike other breast cancers, inflammatory breast cancer presents with distinctive visible symptoms rather than a lump. The blocked lymphatic vessels create the swollen, discolored appearance that gives this cancer its name.
Signs of Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer differs from other types of breast cancer because it rarely forms a lump. Instead, look for these warning signs:
- Rapid changes in one breast over several weeks
- Thickness or swelling in one breast
- Skin color changes (red, purple, pink, or bruised appearance)
- Unusual warmth in the affected breast
- Orange peel-like skin texture (dimpling or ridges)
- Pain, tenderness, or aching
- Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone
- Flattened or inverted nipples on the affected side
For a diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer, these symptoms must have appeared within the last six months.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
If you notice any concerning breast changes, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider right away.
Many conditions can cause symptoms similar to inflammatory breast cancer. Breast injuries and infections (mastitis) often cause similar swelling, redness, and pain. In fact, healthcare providers commonly treat these symptoms first with antibiotics for a week or more.
If your symptoms improve with antibiotics, you likely don’t need further testing. However, if the symptoms persist despite treatment, your provider should consider more serious causes like inflammatory breast cancer.
The only definitive way to determine whether your symptoms are caused by inflammatory breast cancer is through tissue sampling (biopsy).
Causes
Inflammatory breast cancer begins when breast cells undergo DNA changes. DNA serves as the instruction manual for cells. Healthy breast cells follow DNA directions to grow and eventually die at specific times. When DNA changes occur, these instructions get altered.
Cancer cells receive different signals from changed DNA. They multiply rapidly and avoid natural cell death. This leads to an excess of cells in the breast tissue.
The abnormal cells typically start in the milk ducts, which carry breast milk to the nipple. However, they can also originate in the lobules, the milk-producing glands.
What makes inflammatory breast cancer unique is how these cells spread. The cancer cells break away from their original location and travel to lymphatic vessels in the breast skin. These vessels normally help drain fluid from breast tissue.
The cancer cells multiply within these vessels, eventually blocking them. This blockage creates the characteristic signs of inflammatory breast cancer:
- Reddened skin
- Swelling
- Dimpled texture (resembling orange peel)
These visible skin changes happen because fluid cannot properly drain through the clogged lymphatic vessels in the breast skin.
Risk Factors
Women Face Higher Risk
Women get inflammatory breast cancer more often than men. Although all people have some breast tissue, females have a much higher chance of developing this disease.
Younger Age Groups
People in their 40s and 50s receive inflammatory breast cancer diagnoses more frequently than other age groups. This differs from many other breast cancers, which typically affect older individuals.
Black Population
Black individuals have a higher risk of developing inflammatory breast cancer compared to white individuals. This racial disparity is an important factor to consider in screening protocols.
Weight Considerations
Obesity increases a person’s risk of developing inflammatory breast cancer. People with higher body weight should be especially aware of potential symptoms.
Ways to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk
Talk to Your Doctor About Screening
Speak with your healthcare provider about when you should start breast cancer screening. Different tests may be right for different people based on their health history and risk factors.
Ask questions about the benefits and potential downsides of screening to make an informed decision that works for you.
Know Your Normal Breast Tissue
Take time to become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel. This awareness can help you notice any new changes that might develop.
If you discover any new lumps, skin changes, or unusual signs in your breast tissue, contact your healthcare provider promptly. While being aware of your breasts doesn’t prevent cancer, it helps you recognize when something changes.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
There is no completely safe level of alcohol when it comes to breast cancer risk. If possible, avoid alcohol entirely.
If you do choose to drink, try to have no more than one alcoholic beverage per day to help reduce your risk.
Stay Physically Active
Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. If you haven’t exercised recently, check with your doctor first and begin slowly. Regular physical activity has been linked to lower breast cancer risk.
Be Cautious with Hormone Therapy
Combination hormone therapy during menopause may increase breast cancer risk. If you need relief from menopause symptoms, discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor. When using hormone therapy, take the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible.
Keep a Healthy Weight
Maintain a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular exercise. If you need to lose weight, talk to your healthcare provider about creating a sustainable plan.
Focus on reducing calories while gradually increasing physical activity. Maintaining a healthy weight is an important factor in reducing breast cancer risk.
