Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) causes a number of signs and symptoms, which most often occur together. These develop quickly and include:
- Breast warmth
- Redness involving more than 1/3rd of the breast
- Thickening (edema/swelling) of the skin of the breast
- Ridging of the skin of the breast
Sometimes the nipple becomes inverted, as well. The skin may have the texture like an orange peel. Most often, no mass (tumor) can be felt. The skin swelling can cause one breast to appear larger than the other. The breast feels warm to touch and can feel heavy compared to the other breast. The breast may also be tender and painful or itchy.
Tenderness, redness, warmth, and itching are also common symptoms of a breast infection or inflammation (such as mastitis). Because these conditions are much more common than IBC, a doctor might at first suspect infection as a cause and treat with antibiotics. This may be a good first step, but if the symptoms do not get better in 7-10 days, tests to look for cancer should be done.
Because IBC grows and spreads so quickly, the cancer may have already spread to nearby lymph nodes at the time the patient notices breast symptoms. This spread can cause lymph nodes under the arm or above the collar bone to become swollen. If the diagnosis is delayed, the cancer can become more advanced, with spread to lymph nodes in the chest or to distant sites.
If you have any of these symptoms, it does not mean that you have IBC, but you should see your doctor without delay. If treatment with antibiotics is started you will need to let your doctor know if this treatment doesn't help, especially if your symptoms worsen or the area affected gets larger. Ask to see a specialist (like a breast surgeon) or seek a second opinion if you are concerned.
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