Dear [$fname],

We have been receiving quite a few questions from our patients recently about inflammatory breast cancer and I would like to take a moment to address some concerns.

Inflammatory breast cancer is not a new breast cancer, but fortunately, it is very rare.

It is a very aggressive type of breast cancer in which the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. This type of breast cancer is called "inflammatory" because the breast often looks swollen and red, or "inflamed." It can also present with hot, thickened skin, that looks like the surface of an orange, that is indistinguishable from a breast infection (mastitis). Unlike mastitis, this does not respond to antibiotics and is the first clue that this may not be a mastitis. Some mastitis, if it is not caught early, can be difficult to treat, particularly if an underlying abscess has formed.

Unlike the usual advanced breast cancer that presents with a lump, which if untreated will involve the skin, inflammatory breast cancer does not have a discrete lump that can be seen on mammogram or ultrasound and is indistinguishable from an infected breast on MRI. It is diagnosed by biopsy (needle or excisional) and the distinguishing feature under the microscope is cancer cells within the skin lymphatic vessels.

If someone you know has a "mastitis" that is not responding to antibiotics, particularly if they are not breast-feeding or immune compromised, they should seek an expert medical opinion. Please have them call Breastnet and we will schedule an appointment right away.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Best regards,

Belinda Barclay-White, MD
www.azbreastnet.com