Subtype - Inflammatory breat cancer (IBC)

a rare form of advanced, aggressive invasive carcinoma characterized by dermal lymphatic invasion of tumor cells

• Peau d'orange

  • Erythematous, warm, and edematous skin plaques with prominent hair follicles that resemble orange peel

  • Caused by obstruction of the lymphatic channels due to tumor growth

• Tenderness, burning sensation

• Blood-tinged nipple discharge

• Signs of metastatic disease (e.g., axillary lymphadenopathy)

• Usually no palpable mass

• Rapid onset of breast erythema, edema, warmth, and peau d'orange, with or without palpable mass on breast examination

• Erythema involving at least one-third of the breast

• Symptoms have been present for < 6 months

• Core needle biopsy confirming the presence of invasive carcinoma

• Skin punch biopsy: patients who meet the diagnostic criteria should undergo at least two full-thickness skin punch biopsies

• Further testing

  • Imaging: bilateral mammogram and ultrasound of regional lymph node

  • Receptor and HER2 gene testing

• Mastitis

• Paget disease of the breast

• Breast abscess

• Treatment: chemotherapy (possibly in combination with targeted therapy) PLUS radiation PLUS modified radical mastectomy

• Prognosis: 5-year survival rate is ∼ 40%.