Identification of breast cancer type without lump

Lumps in the breast region are possible signs of breast cancer but most of us are caught unaware about a breast cancer type, inflammatory breast cancer, which is not characterized by a lump.

This cancer type warrants urgent diagnosis so that life of afflicted patients could be saved, according to Sofia Merajver, M.D., Ph.D., co-director of the Breast Oncology Program at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

From News-Medical.Net:

Inflammatory breast cancer is a very aggressive type of cancer in which the cancerous cells move rapidly throughout the breast and clog the lymph vessels in the skin, causing the breast to look swollen, red, itchy or inflamed. It's often mistaken for a rash or infection and many women are initially treated with antibiotics or steroids.
“There are many options for treating this disease. In many cases, the treatment is going to be on and off for life. There will be times of remission, but this is a serious disease that has a high chance of recurring,” says Merajver, a professor of internal medicine at the U-M Medical School.
About inflammatory breast cancer
* Represents 3 percent to 6 percent of the 180,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
* With treatment, 20 percent to 40 percent of patients survive 10 years. This is up from 5 percent to 10 percent 20 years ago.
* Characterized by redness, warmth or an orange-skin appearance on the skin of the breast. A persistent red breast should be biopsied promptly.
* May or may not cause a lump or mass.
* Treatment includes aggressive chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiation therapy.

Merajver said that the U-M Inflammatory Breast Cancer Clinic would be turning into a clearinghouse for passing information related to tertiary care and advice.