Inflammatory Breast Cancer Overview

What is Inflammatory Breast Cancer?

Inflammatory breast cancer blocks the lymph vessels in the breast, causing inflammation.

Instead of a lump, most people notice reddening and swelling of the breast that seems to intensify quickly.

It's often mistaken for mastitis — an infection that can accompany breastfeeding, or cellulitis — a bacterial infection.

» See more symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer.

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare, but aggressive type of breast cancer. It accounts for only about one to five percent of breast cancer cases in women and almost none in men.

Who's at Risk for Inflammatory Breast Cancer?

Anybody can develop inflammatory breast cancer, but certain factors may increase your risk, including:

• if you are between the age of 50 and 60
• a family history of breast cancer

Learn more about the High-Risk Breast Cancer Program at Magee.

Early detection is important.

Ask your doctor or nurse to teach you how to perform a breast exam on yourself. Each clinical visit should also include a breast exam.

View screening recommendations for women without symptoms or a family history of breast cancer.