IBC, a type of breast cancer, is not very common, accounting for only 2 to 4 percent of breast cancer cases. An early sign of IBC may be a small red spot that resembles an insect bite or rash. However, this cancer is aggressive and typically involves the lymph nodes when diagnosed.
Bug bite IBC is treatable and can be successfully managed with a combination of treatments. Surgery, stem-cell therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapies, are options available to people living with bug bite IBC. In this blog, we’ll explore the treatments available to help manage this type of cancer.
We hope that by reading this blog post you will learn more about bug bite IBC and have a better understanding of how to identify and treat it.
Read on to learn more!
What is Bug Bite Inflammatory Breast Cancer?
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) can initially resemble a bug bite or heat rash, but then rapidly progresses to affect over one-third of the breast with noticeable redness and swelling.
Dark or purple spots on the breast, along with red spots, are typically indicative of a skin condition or rash. There is a possibility, albeit less common, that they may also appear in some forms of breast cancer.
Recognizing early signs of breast cancer can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment, which can improve someone’s chances of recovery.
Who Is at Risk of Developing This Form of Cancer?
While anyone is at risk of developing inflammatory breast cancer, certain factors may increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
1. Gender:
While IBC can affect anyone, it is more prevalent in individuals who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) or identify as women.
2. Age:
Inflammatory breast cancer usually affects young women or those assigned female at birth who are under 40 years of age. However, the median age at which it is diagnosed is 57.
3. Weight:
Individuals who are considered obese or overweight have a higher probability of receiving a medical diagnosis compared to those who have a BMI within the normal range.
4. Family History:
Having a family member who previously suffered from inflammatory breast cancer increases the risk of being diagnosed with the same type of cancer
5. Race:
IBC is more common in Black and Latina women compared to White women.
Symptoms to Look Out For
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) symptoms usually appear and escalate within a span of three to six weeks. Common indications consist of:
– Discolored skin (red, pink, or purple) covering at least one-third of the breast, resembling a rash or bruise.
– Thickened, dimpled, or pitted breast skin that resembles an orange peel.
– Swelling, tenderness, firmness, itchiness, or pain in one breast.
– Enlarged, warm, heavy, or burning sensations in one breast.
– Retracted or inverted nipple.
– Swollen lymph nodes located in the collarbone or armpit vicinity.
These symptoms may indicate the presence of IBC and should warrant immediate medical attention.
What are Cause of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)?
Most commonly invasive ductal carcinoma. This type of cancer starts from cells lining the milk ducts and spreads beyond, invading healthy tissue. It’s currently unknown what triggers these cells to become cancerous.
However, cancer cells obstructing lymph vessels ultimately lead to inflammation, swelling, and redness in the breast. If left untreated, the cancer can metastasize and affect other parts of the body, posing a greater challenge to treat.
What are the methods used for diagnosing and staging inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)?
Although rare, inflammatory breast cancer can have symptoms similar to a common condition known as breast infections or mastitis. Your healthcare provider may first prescribe antibiotics to rule out the possibility of an infection.
If IBC is suspected, they will conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and perform additional tests to determine whether the cancer has spread beyond the breast.
Detecting inflammatory breast cancer (IBC).
A diagnosis requires a physical examination, imaging tests, and a biopsy.
- It can be difficult to diagnose inflammatory breast cancer because lumps are not a common symptom. To eliminate the possibility of other conditions with similar breast appearance changes, such as mastitis, your healthcare provider may perform various tests.
- A mammogram is a medical imaging test that uses low-energy X-rays to take pictures of the inside of your breast. It helps your healthcare provider look for any signs of breast cancer, such as lumps, breast calcifications, or thickened skin. A breast ultrasound is a medical procedure that uses sound waves to produce images of the tissues, lymph nodes, and interior of the breast. By examining the ultrasound images, doctors can determine if breast cancer has metastasized to neighboring tissue. However, breast infections and Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) can be visually similar in scans.
- To confirm a diagnosis of IBC, a biopsy is necessary. Your healthcare provider will remove a tissue sample from your breast, which will then be tested in a lab by a specialist called a pathologist to check for cancer. Biopsy results also help your provider determine if certain targeted therapies or drugs can be effective treatments for your cancer.
What are the treatments available for inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)?
The treatment for inflammatory breast cancer involves a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.
1. Chemotherapy Therapy:
Drugs are used to kill cancer cells in breast cancer chemotherapy. Chemo can be administered through a vein or as a pill. The aim is to reduce the size of cancer cells so they can be removed more easily during surgery. Chemo may also be required as part of the treatment plan.
2. Radiation Therapy:
One of the treatments for cancer is radiation therapy, which involves the use of a machine to target and destroy cancer cells. It can be used after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells that were not removed during the surgery.
3. Targeted therapy:
Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that focuses on the specific vulnerabilities of cancer cells. Identifying and targeting these weaknesses, it can effectively destroy cancer cells. For instance, in the case of Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), a protein called HER2 facilitates the growth and spread of cancer. Targeted therapy works by eliminating this protein, which in turn makes it difficult for the cancer cells to survive.
4. Hormone therapy:
If your cancer cells have hormone receptors, your healthcare provider may prescribe treatments to block the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This is because certain types of cancer cells grow when exposed to these hormones.
5. Immunotherapy:
Immunotherapy assists in enabling your body’s immune system to recognize and combat cancerous cells. According to research, certain categories of immunotherapy could boost the efficacy of other treatments for invasive breast cancer, such as chemotherapy. Investigation and study in this matter is ongoing.
6. Surgery:
In the case of Inflammatory Breast Cancer, surgery involves a mastectomy, which removes the entire affected breast along with nearby lymph nodes. Other treatments that remove only some tissue while preserving the breast are not effective because IBC spreads too rapidly.
Based on the specific characteristics of your cancer cells that are identified during the biopsy, you might undergo treatments including hormone therapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy. Your healthcare provider may suggest your participation in a clinical trial, which is a research study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new cancer treatments. In case the treatments are successful in clinical trials, they can become the standard treatment methods.
What are the survival rates for inflammatory breast cancer?
Compared to other types of breast cancer, Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) has a faster growth rate, higher chances of spreading at the time of detection, and a higher likelihood of reoccurring after treatment. Hence, the survival rates for IBC are usually lower.
Survival rates can provide information about the percentage of people with the same type and stage of cancer who are still alive after a certain period of time, usually five years after diagnosis. It doesn’t predict how long an individual will live, but it can give an idea of the probability of successful treatment.
Conclusion
Survival rates for IBC vary depending on the stage at diagnosis and other factors. However, with prompt treatment and early detection, it can be managed successfully. It is important to discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider to understand which interventions are best suited for you. Additionally, participating in a clinical trial may provide access to new treatments not yet widely available.
With the right medical team and treatment plan, Inflammatory Breast Cancer can be managed effectively.
MedicoExperts is a global virtual hospital operating round the clock, specializing in the treatment of breast cancer through its dedicated tumor board.
Each patient receives personalized and meticulously crafted treatment plans.
Doctors are available for multiple consultations prior to commencing treatment to address any concerns or uncertainties. Additionally, comprehensive post-treatment monitoring and support are offered to optimize the likelihood of a disease-free recovery.
The team at MedicoExperts is here to help you understand your treatment options and the best ways to manage your condition. If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always available to help.
FAQ :
Q. At what point should I contact my doctor if I have concerns about inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)?
Ans: If you notice any changes to the size, shape, or texture of your breast (i.e. swelling, redness, pain, or dimpling) it is important to contact your doctor right away. These changes may be signs of an underlying medical condition and should not be ignored. Early detection can lead to better outcomes and higher success rates for treating IBC. Therefore, if you have any concerns about possible symptoms of IBC, reach out to your healthcare provider immediately.
Q. What are some common side effects from treatments?
Ans: Common side effects from treatments for inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) include fatigue, nausea/vomiting, hair loss, and skin changes at the site of radiation therapy. Additionally, chemotherapy can lead to bone marrow suppression, which can result in low white blood cell counts and a weakened immune system. Your healthcare provider will discuss the possible side effects of your specific treatment plan and how to manage them. It is important to stay informed about what to expect during treatment so that you can take steps to reduce any discomfort or pain.
Q. Are there any lifestyle changes I can make to help manage my inflammatory breast cancer?
Ans: Yes, there are several lifestyle changes that you can make to help better manage your inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Eating a nutritious diet full of fruits and vegetables, getting regular physical activity, and managing stress levels are all beneficial for overall health and well-being. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight and limiting alcohol consumption can reduce the risk of recurrence after treatment. Medicoexpert can also provide additional lifestyle tips to help you manage IBC. Contact us today for more information.
Q. How likely are people with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) to recover?
Ans: Breast cancer can rapidly spread to other tissues beyond the breast and has a high chance of recurring after treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to diagnose and treat it as early as possible for better management.
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) tends to spread rapidly and is usually detected at a later stage compared to other forms of breast cancer. As a result, the overall prognosis for people with IBC is generally worse. However, there are cases where people with IBC can survive for many years after diagnosis. Your healthcare provider can provide you with a more detailed explanation of your prognosis.
Q: What is the speed of progression of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)?
Ans: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rapidly growing and aggressive form of cancer that can progress within a matter of weeks or months. By the time it is diagnosed, it has usually already spread to the skin of the breast, resulting in a classification of at least stage III cancer.
