Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Overview

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare, aggressive form of breast cancer that makes an affected breast red, swollen and tender. The characteristic appearance of inflammatory breast cancer occurs when cancer cells block lymphatic vessels in the skin of the breast.

Inflammatory breast cancer is considered a locally advanced cancer, meaning cancer cells have spread beyond their point of origin and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes. Inflammatory breast cancer treatment usually involves chemotherapy, followed by surgery to remove the entire breast and radiation therapy. Other treatments may be recommended after surgery, if tests of the cancer cells reveal that additional treatments may be helpful. Options could include hormone therapy, targeted therapy or a clinical trial.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for inflammatory breast cancer

• Experience and expertise. Mayo Clinic has one of the largest, most comprehensive cancer diagnosis and treatment programs in the world. Mayo Clinic doctors diagnose and treat thousands of people with all types of cancer each year and use their experience to provide the most effective treatment.
• Teamwork. At Mayo Clinic, a team of experts in medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgery, pathology, and radiology, and other experts if needed, create a customized treatment plan for you.
• Latest research. The Women's Cancer Program at Mayo Clinic researches new treatment options for women who have breast and gynecologic cancers. This multidisciplinary program brings together researchers and clinicians to increase understanding of women's cancers, provide compassionate care, and educate patients and their families about women's cancers. Mayo Clinic also collaborates with other cancer centers around the country to develop and participate in clinical trials. This partnership gives Mayo Clinic patients access to the latest in breast cancer care.
• Comprehensive cancer center. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center meets strict standards for a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center, which recognizes scientific excellence and a multispecialty approach focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., are ranked high performing for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

Why Choose Mayo Clinic
What Sets Mayo Clinic Apart

Learn more about inflammatory breast cancer.