Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare type of cancer that spreads quickly. Unlike most breast cancers, IBC doesn’t usually cause lumps in breast tissue. Instead, it appears as a rash, creating skin texture on the affected breast similar to an orange peel. IBC causes pain, redness, swelling and dimpling on the affected breast.

IBC results when cancer cells block lymph vessels — the small, hollow tubes that allow lymph fluid to drain out of your breast. The blockage leads to inflammation, causing symptoms that make it easy to mistake IBC for an infection.

IBC grows fast and requires immediate treatment. Healthcare providers usually treat IBC with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy.

Who is likely to have inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)?

Anyone can develop inflammatory breast cancer, but certain factors may raise your risk.

• Gender: IBC can affect people of all genders, but it’s more common in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB).
• Age: People with IBC tend to be younger than people with other forms of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is most commonly diagnosed in women and people AFAB who are younger than 40. The median age of diagnosis is 57.
• Race: People who are Black are more likely to get diagnosed with IBC than people who are white.
• Weight: People with obesity or overweight are more likely to get diagnosed than people with a BMI that falls within the normal range.

How often does inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) occur?

Inflammatory breast cancer occurs at different rates worldwide. It’s most common in North Africa. It accounts for as few as 4% of breast cancer cases in Tunisia and up to 11% of breast cancer diagnoses in Egypt. IBC is rare in the United States, making up only 1% to 5% of breast cancer cases.