Inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer that affects approximately 1 to 5 percent of breast cancer patients in the United States. Typically, it is diagnosed in younger women and develops rapidly, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Identification
Lumps may not be present in inflammatory breast cancer. Typical symptoms include redness and swelling. The breast may feel warm, and the skin may appear bruised or develop a dimpled texture.
Classifications
Inflammatory breast cancer is classified as either IIIB or IV breast cancer. The IIIB classification refers cancer that is "locally advanced," according to the National Cancer Institute. Stage IV cancer has spread to other organs.
Metastasis
At the time of diagnosis, inflammatory breast cancer is more likely to have spread to other areas and organs of the body than other forms of breast cancer.
Survival Rate
Cancer.org describes the 5-year survival rate for inflammatory breast cancer as about 40 percent (see Resources below).
Prognosis
"Survival rate" is a way of quantifying how many patients will live at least 5 years after diagnosis of a particular illness. It is a useful statistic for researchers, but does not fully address specific cases. Only a treating physician should provide a prognosis for any individual case.
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