How does inflammatory breast cancer typically progress?

Inflammatory breast cancer is characterized by a rapid progression, which is a hallmark of this aggressive type of breast cancer. This condition often presents with specific clinical features including erythema (redness) and significant swelling of the breast. These symptoms arise due to the infiltration of cancer cells into the lymphatic channels of the skin, leading to an inflammatory response. Unlike other forms of breast cancer that may develop slowly and with well-defined borders, inflammatory breast cancer can evolve quickly and often appears with a swollen, warm, and red breast.

The presence of such symptoms is crucial for the timely diagnosis and intervention for inflammatory breast cancer. Early detection is particularly important because this cancer has a more severe prognosis compared to other breast cancers; thus, recognizing these rapid changes in breast appearance is vital for effective treatment.