Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Overview

Inflammatory breast cancer is fairly rare but potentially deadly. It typically occurs in women older than 50. However, it can occur in younger women as well. Because inflammatory breast cancer is so aggressive and can spread rapidly, early detection and treatment are very important.

Inflammatory breast cancer occurs when cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the breast. The blockage causes discoloration or redness, swelling and warmth. The skin of the breast may become ridged or pitted like the peeling of an orange, a condition called peau d'orange.

Why choose Mayo Clinic

Doctors trained in internal medicine, interpreting medical images (radiology), medical cancer treatment (oncology), surgery, radiation therapy for cancer (radiation oncology), studying tissue samples for signs of disease (pathology) and plastic surgery provide comprehensive screening, evaluation and treatment for women who have inflammatory breast cancer. Each year Mayo Clinic doctors diagnose and treat more than 1,300 new cases of breast cancer including some cases of inflammatory disease. Surgeons at Mayo Clinic perform more than 750 operations for all types of breast cancer every year.

Read more about inflammatory breast cancer at MayoClinic.com.