Inflammatory Carcinoma (Breast)

Inflammatory carcinoma of the breast is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer that affects the skin and lymphatic vessels of the breast. It causes the breast to become red, swollen, and warm, often resembling an infection. This condition involves the lymphatic system within the breast, leading to impaired drainage and characteristic skin changes. The cancer cells block lymphatic vessels, causing the breast to appear inflamed and thickened. It can rapidly worsen and spread, significantly impacting overall health. Early symptoms include pain, skin dimpling, and a rapid increase in breast size. Because it mimics infection, it is often mistaken for mastitis but requires urgent cancer treatment.

Inflammatory carcinoma of the breast is a clinically defined subtype of breast cancer characterized by diffuse involvement of the dermal lymphatics by malignant cells, leading to lymphatic obstruction and the classic presentation of erythema, edema, and peau d’orange skin changes. It is usually caused by invasive ductal carcinoma that rapidly infiltrates the breast skin and lymphatic vessels. This aggressive tumor subtype is associated with a high risk of early metastasis and poor prognosis. The hallmark pathological feature is tumor emboli within dermal lymphatics without a discrete palpable mass in many cases. Clinically, it presents with rapid onset of breast swelling, erythema covering at least one-third of the breast, and tenderness. It is important to distinguish this from infectious mastitis because inflammatory carcinoma requires prompt oncologic management. The condition is staged as T4d in the TNM system due to its extensive skin involvement.