Inflammatory Breast Cancer Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Inflammatory Breast Cancer?

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer that affects approximately 1% of all breast cancer cases. It’s considered an inflammatory condition because it causes redness, swelling, and warmth in the affected breast area. IBC can also cause lumpiness, ridges or dimpling on the skin, as well as changes in the color of the nipple or areola. The exact cause of IBC is still unknown. However, risk factors for developing this type of cancer include being postmenopausal, having a family history of breast cancer, being white or Hispanic/Latina race/ethnicity, and having certain genetic mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Additionally, women who have had previous radiation therapy to treat another type of cancer may be at increased risk for developing IBC. IBC is typically diagnosed through physical exams and imaging tests such as mammograms, ultrasounds and MRI scans. If your doctor suspects you may have IBC they will likely perform a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis. Treatment options vary depending on factors such as stage of disease at diagnosis but typically involve surgery to remove any tumors followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy depending on the individual case. In some cases hormone therapy may also be used if hormones are found to play a part in tumor growth. Fortunately there has been recent advances in treatments for IBC that have improved survival rates over time with earlier detection key in obtaining better outcomes following treatment with many women surviving long term after diagnosis with proper medical management .Supportive care is paramount during treatment so seeking out support groups can help those going through this difficult process find helpful coping strategies while gaining valuable insight from others who understand what you are going through.