Stage III Non-Treated Inflammatory Breast Cancer & Prognosis

Breast cancer is a scary disease that develops in stages. The highest is Stage IV. Inflammatory breast cancer, although rare, is very serious because it only occurs when breast cancer reaches Stage IIIB or higher.

Identification

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) makes the breast look red and feel warm. Lymph vessels are blocked in the skin by cancer cells. This causes the warmth and redness.

Symptoms

Another symptom of IBC is the appearance of ridges on the breast because of fluid buildup. The breasts also experience heaviness, burning and aching.

Quick Spread

If left untreated, IBC will spread quicker than other Stage III breast cancers. It spreads locally within weeks or months.

Treatment Options

Treatment for IBC is limited because it can't be diagnosed until Stage IIIB. This means that until then, the breast cancer was either left untreated, wasn't discovered or not successfully destroyed with other treatments.

Prognosis

The prognosis for women with IBC is less favorable than for those who don't have IBC because of its late appearance and rapid spread. The five-year survival rate is between 25 and 50 percent.

References

• Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Questions and Answers
• Breast Cancer: Staging
• Dictionary of Cancer