Inflammatory breast cancer

Abstract

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) represents the most virulent form of breast cancer, characterized by involvement of the skin and rapid progression of the disease. Management involves careful coordination of multidisciplinary modalities, including imaging, systemic chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy has contributed significantly to improvement in overall survival since the first descriptions of this entity, and has made the role of locoregional therapy, including surgery and radiation, critical to continued improvements in this disease. This article examines the unique epidemiology and pathology of IBC, and reviews the various treatment modalities, noting the significance of a multimodality approach and delineating each of the specific components. Moreover, the current research in IBC is briefly described, which experts hope will further improve systemic therapies.