How is Inflammatory Breast Cancer Different?
Although it is a type of breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer differs from typical breast cancer in various ways. Perhaps the most notable difference is the fact that women with inflammatory breast cancer often do not have a detectable lump. This is due to the fact that inflammatory breast cancer, or IBC, develops in sheets just below the breast’s skin and affects the entire breast. Additionally, cancer cells block the lymphatic system, hindering normal drainage of lymphatic fluid. Due to this block, the breast becomes swollen and inflamed (hence the name inflammatory breast cancer). Inflammatory breast cancer grows rapidly and spreads to other areas of the body quickly. Unlike breast cancer, which can progress through five different stages, inflammatory breast cancer is generally considered to be a stage 3 breast cancer at diagnosis, unless it has already spread to other areas of the body, in which case it is considered to be a stage 4 breast cancer. Because this type of cancer i
