Inflammatory+Breast+Cancer

Incidence: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a very rare but very aggressive type of breast cancer in which the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. Risk Factors: IBC tends to affect woman at an average age of 59, about three to seven years younger than the average age of other types of breast cancer. Clinical Manifestations; (S/S): Early signs of more-common forms of breast cancer (i.e., a breast lump or suspicious area on a routine mammogram) are often absent in inflammatory breast cancer. Symptoms of IBC often are mistaken for mastitis or other breast infection. Signs and symptoms of IBC are rapid change in the appearance of one breast over the course of days or weeks; thickness, heaviness or visible enlargement of one breast; unusual warmth of the affected breast; itching; tenderness, pain or aching; flattening or turning inward of the nipple, and dimpling or ridges on the skin of the affected breast, similar to an orange peel.

How is the cancer diagnosed? Diagnosis of IBC is based on the results of a doctor’s clinical examination. Biopsy, mammogram, and breast ultrasound are used to confirm the diagnosis. IBC is classified as either stage IIIB or stage IV breast cancer. Five year survival rate is about 50% of those diagnosed. Medical Treatment (chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation therapies, etc.) includes: Treatment consisting of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy is used to treat IBC. Even after treatment recurrence rates remain high for IBC.

Nursing Management (Nursing Process): The nurse should provide information regarding support and education about the disease. Many women don’t realize this form of breast cancer even exists, and will need help coping with the stress of the disease and the aggressive type of treatment required. Information should also be provided to the families of those involved.