INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER (IBC) is an advanced and accelerated form of breast cancer usually not detected by mammograms or ultrasounds. Inflammatory breast cancer requires immediate aggressive treatment with chemotherapy prior to surgery and is treated differently than more common types of breast cancer. African Americans have a higher incidence of IBC than do Caucasians and other ethnic groups.
Some women who have inflammatory breast cancer may remain undiagnosed for long periods even while seeing their doctor. The symptoms are similar to mastitis, a breast infection, and the woman may receive a prescription for antibiotics. Inflammatory breast cancer usually grows in nests or sheets, rather than as a confined, solid tumor. Therefore, it can be spread throughout the breast with no palpable mass. The cancer cells clog the lymphatic system just below the skin.
Infrared imaging’s advantage is the ability to identify areas of inflammation.
