Has Anyone heard of IBC/ Inflammatory Breast Cancer?

Ruthie, so very sorry for your loss. Sixteen months is such a short time.

For others who may not have heard, IBC stands for Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Here is a bit of what the Mayo Clinic says about the definition and symptoms

"Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare but aggressive type of breast cancer that develops rapidly, making the affected breast red, swollen and tender. It's a locally advanced cancer, meaning it has spread from its point of origin to nearby tissue and possibly to nearby lymph nodes.

"The early signs of more-common forms of breast cancer — a breast lump or suspicious area on a routine, screening mammogram — are often absent in inflammatory breast cancer. Instead, the breast may appear normal until tumor cells invade and block lymphatic vessels in the overlying skin. Fluid backs up, and the breast swells and becomes discolored.

"Inflammatory breast cancer can easily be confused with a breast infection, but if it's cancer, symptoms won't go away with antibiotics. Seek medical attention promptly if you notice skin changes on your breast, to help distinguish a breast infection from other breast disorders."

Here's the Mayo Clinic page:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/inflammatory-breast-cancer/DS00632

I know that this type of breast cancer is very aggressive and fast moving. It has the ability to metastisize very rapidly. While I was being treated for my Stage 2B invasive ductal carcinoma, one of my new found chemo buddies was going through her treatments for this type of cancer. Sadly, she was called Home 2 months ago. 16 months from the time of her diagnosis. I miss her terribly. We need to get the word out to all women about this type of Breast cancer. For we know that knowledge is powerful.

I hadn't heard of this before, so I've been reading up:

• This is an accelerated form of breast cancer.
• IBC is treated differently than other forms of breast cancer.
• You don't have to have a detectable lump.
• symptoms may look like this

Thank you for bringing up this subject. I'll pass your question along to see if we can get one of our Experts to write about IBC.

For more information: IBC Research Foundation

I just learned about this type of Breast Cancer recently. It scared me when I found out that it may not be detactable on a mammogram.