•  
  •  

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare, fast-growing type of breast cancer. The cancer cells block the lymph fluid in the breast tissue and usually don't form lumps.

Symptoms include:

  • Redness, tenderness, and warmth.
  • Thickening of the skin of the breast (orange peel appearance).
  • Rapid breast enlargement.
  • Ridging of the skin of the breast.

Treatment involves chemotherapy, breast surgery, and radiation therapy. Afterwards, more chemotherapy or hormone therapy (or both) may be needed.

Last Revised: April 14, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

To learn more visit Healthwise.org

© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.