Where does inflammatory breast cancer usually start?

Doctors know that inflammatory breast cancer begins when a breast cell develops changes in its DNA. Most often the cell is located in one of the tubes (ducts) that carry breast milk to the nipple. But the cancer can also begin with a cell in the glandular tissue (lobules) where breast milk is produced.

How quickly do symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer appear?

Classic inflammatory breast cancer symptoms develop fairly quickly (3 months or less), and can include swollen breasts, red skin and nipple inversion.

Does inflammatory breast cancer appear suddenly?

Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms can appear quite suddenly. Inflammatory breast cancer is often confused with an infection of the breast (mastitis). This is because the symptoms are very similar.

Does inflammatory breast cancer symptoms come and go?

The bottom line. IBC causes a wide range of symptoms, including breast pain, redness, swelling, changes to the breast skin or nipples, and more. Many of the symptoms of IBC come on suddenly and may even appear to come and go. However, these symptoms will become consistently worse as the disease progresses.

How do you rule out inflammatory breast cancer?

Inflammatory breast cancer is usually diagnosed through a physical examination of the breast and nearby lymph nodes and based on a person’s symptoms. Breast imaging tests and a biopsy of the breast and/or skin are also needed to confirm a diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer.

Does inflammatory breast cancer hurt?

IBC causes a wide range of symptoms, including breast pain, redness, swelling, changes to the breast skin or nipples, and more. Many of the symptoms of IBC come on suddenly and may even appear to come and go. However, these symptoms will become consistently worse as the disease progresses.

Can IBC show up overnight?