Types of breast cancer and related breast conditions
This is a rare type of breast cancer. This type of cancer tends to develop quicker than other more common types of breast cancer.
In inflammatory breast cancer, the cancer cells often block the small lymph vessels in the breast. The lymph vessels (or lymph ducts) are part of the . They collect waste products and drain them into the veins.
When the lymph vessels are blocked, it causes the skin to become red and inflamed.
Inflammatory breast cancer is rare. Less than 5 out of 100 breast cancers (less than 5%) diagnosed are inflammatory breast cancers.
Learn more about the lymphatic system
Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms can appear quite suddenly. Symptoms include:
swelling and redness of the breast
pain
swollen lymph nodes
firm or hard breast that is hot to the touch
skin that looks like orange peel (peau d’orange)
changes to the nipple such as flattening or an inverted nipple
a lump in the breast
Inflammatory breast cancer is often confused with an infection of the breast (mastitis). Mastitis is common in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your GP might give you a course of antibiotics if they think that your symptoms could be due to mastitis. But they will refer you to a specialist if they think you are unlikely to have mastitis or if your symptoms don’t clear up after antibiotics.
While inflammatory breast cancer can cause these particular symptoms, it’s important to know the general symptoms of breast cancer. See your GP if you notice any change in the look or feel of your breasts.
Your GP should arrange for you to go to a breast clinic to have tests if you have symptoms that could be due to inflammatory breast cancer. This is usually a one stop clinic where you have several tests during one visit.
The tests you might have include:
breast examination
breast ultrasound scan
taking a sample of tissue from the skin in the breast or a breast lump (biopsy)
MRI scan of the breast
other scans such as a CT scan or PET-CT scan
Your doctor may take photos of your breast to keep in your medical records. These can be helpful to see how well you respond to treatment.
Find out more about tests to diagnose breast cancer
The type of treatment you have depends on a number of factors. This includes:
whether your cancer cells have receptors for particular types of drugs
your general health and whether you have any other medical conditions.
Your team will discuss the pros and cons of the treatment options with you. Do ask questions so that you understand which treatments you are being offered, and why.
Drug treatment before surgery is called neo adjuvant treatment. You usually have chemotherapy. This helps to shrink the cancer. If your cancer cells have , you might also have targeted cancer drugs such as trastuzumab (Herceptin).
After chemotherapy with or without targeted cancer drugs, you usually have surgery. You are most likely to have your whole breast removed. This is a mastectomy. After a mastectomy, you may be able to have a breast reconstruction.
Your surgeon may also remove the lymph nodes under your armpit.
After surgery, you have radiotherapy. Radiotherapy uses high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. This helps to stop the cancer from coming back.
You have hormone therapy tablets for some years if your breast cancer has hormone receptors. The aim of hormone therapy is to lower the risk of the cancer coming back.
Find out about breast cancer treatments
Inflammatory breast cancer can develop quickly and may spread to other parts of the body. So in general, the outlook for this type of cancer is worse than for other types of breast cancer. But doctors think that the outlook is improving as breast cancer treatment improves.
At the time of diagnosis, inflammatory breast cancer is either stage 3 or stage 4. In most cases, the cancer has already spread to the lymph nodes and in some people, it has already spread to other parts of the body.
We have survival information for each stage of breast cancer in the UK.
You have regular check ups after treatment for inflammatory breast cancer. How often you have check ups depends on your individual situation.
It’s important to remember that you can contact your doctor or specialist nurse if you notice a new symptom or have questions between your check ups. You can also speak to your GP.
Read more about breast cancer follow up
Researchers around the world are looking at better ways to diagnose and treat breast cancer. Ask your cancer specialist or breast specialist nurse about trials. There may be open trials at your local hospital that you can take part.
There are fewer trials specifically for inflammatory breast cancer than for more common types of breast cancer. This is because it is difficult to organise and run trials for rare cancers. For example, it can take a long time to recruit the number of people needed.
Coping with breast cancer can be difficult. It can be even harder to cope with a rare type of breast cancer. There is help and support available to you and your family.
Last reviewed: 14 Jun 2023
Next review due: 14 Jun 2026
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There are different types of breast cancer and breast conditions, including breast cancer in men, and conditions related to breast cancer. Find out more about the different types.
Treatment for breast cancer depends on a number of factors. Find out about breast cancer treatments, where and how you have them, and how to cope with possible side effects.
Breast cancer is cancer that starts in the breast tissue. Find out about who gets breast cancer and where it starts.
Survival is generally very good for breast cancer, particularly if you are diagnosed early. This is probably because of screening, early diagnosis and improved treatment. Find out more.
Find out about breast cancer, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, survival, and how to cope with the effects on your life and relationships.
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What to ask your doctor about clinical trials.
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