Signs Of Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer doesn't normally show signs like distinct mass or lumps which generally occurs with other forms of breast cancer. The disease grows as nests or sheets that clog the lymph system under the skin. Often the symptoms are attributed to other diseases and thus the diagnosis may take a long time to occur.

Generally signs of inflammatory breast cancer includes:

* Pain in the breast, which is often mistaken as a breast infection and treated with antibiotics.

* Nipple retraction or discharge

* Skin changes in the breast area when the lymph vessels become blocked by the breast cancer cells. Discoloration, giving the breast a red, purple, pink or bruised appearance. Pink or reddened areas often with the texture and thickness, dimpling or ridges on the skin of the affected breast, similar to an orange peel.

* A bruise on the breast that doesn't go away

* Sudden swelling of the breast. Rapid change in the appearance of one breast, over the course of days or weeks

* Swelling of the lymph nodes under the arm or in the neck or above the collar bone on the affected side or below the collarbone. Thickness, heaviness or visible enlargement of one breast

* Itching of the breast, tenderness, pain or aching.

If these signs of inflammatory breast cancer continue for more than a week, it is advisable to make an appointment with your doctor who has experience with this disease.

Watch a video on Inflammatory Breast Cancer Symptoms