Inflammatory Breast Cancer - National Cancer Institute

Inflammatory Breast Cancer - National Cancer Institute:

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Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Key Points
Inflammatory breast cancer is an uncommon type of breast cancer.
This disease occurs when cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast, causing the breast to become red, swollen, and warm.
Inflammatory breast cancer usually grows rapidly and often spreads to other parts of the body.
Treatment usually starts with chemotherapy, generally followed by surgery and/or radiation.


Inflammatory breast cancer is an uncommon type of breast cancer in which breast cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. This blockage may cause the breast to become red, swollen, and warm. The skin of the breast may also appear pink, purple, or bruised, and it may have ridges or appear pitted, like the skin of an orange (called peau d'orange). These changes often occur quickly over a period of weeks. Another possible sign of this type of breast cancer is swollen lymph nodes under the arm, above the collarbone, or in both places. Often, a tumor cannot be felt, and may not be seen on a mammogram. The diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer is based on the results of the biopsy and the doctor’s clinical judgment.
Inflammatory breast cancer generally grows rapidly"