Breast cancer: A diagnosis every woman on the planet dreads.
They typically end up blocking the lymph vessels, causing inflamed, red, and swollen breasts.
What makes inflammatory breast cancer different from other breast cancers?
According toWebMD, the most obvious difference is in how it looks.
Additionally, the cancer can cause dimpling and discoloration of the skin.
Mastitis is one such condition, and it’s pretty common among those who are either pregnant or breastfeeding.
The breast might also appear bigger and feel heavier.
Itchiness and pain are also common.
The median age at which people are typically diagnosed with this disease is 57.
Tumors can also start to grow in the glandular tissue that is responsible for breast milk production.
According toCleveland Clinic, these vessels are responsible for draining lymph fluid from the breast.
These cancer cells tend to metastasize (which means they spread from the inside out).
Another common test is a breast ultrasound.
This makes it easier to spot changes in the tissue that the mammogram failed to pick up.
Your doctor might order otherbreast cancer screening testslike an MRI as well.
Often used alongside a CT scan is a PET scan.
These stages refer to how far the cancer has spread at the time of the diagnosis.
This usually includes the skin, the lymph nodes, and the chest wall tissues.
Medical professionals refer to this condition as metastasis.
This unfortunately makes it more challenging to treat the cancer successfully.
Your doctor will likely recommend that you start chemotherapy immediately.
As we said, treatment is pretty aggressive.
What is the outlook for people with inflammatory breast cancer?
Your overall health and age will also have an impact.
It’s also an opportunity for you to ask them questions or tell them about any worrisome symptoms.
They are there to help you.
If they are not immediately available, you’re able to also make an appointment with your GP.
It’s also wise to have a written care plan in case you should probably receive treatment again.
Speak to your doctor about getting this in place.
