Lessons learned from an unusual case of inflammatory breast cancer

J Surg Educ. 2012 May-Jun;69(3):350-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2011.10.016.

Abstract

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare breast malignancy that is associated with poor long-term outcomes despite aggressive surgical and chemotherapeutic interventions. We recently treated a 56-year-old woman with right-sided IBC and biopsy-proven cutaneous metastases to her back and left breast. She underwent chemotherapy, bilateral modified radical mastectomy, and radiation therapy. One year after diagnosis, she is currently disease-free based on positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging and repeat skin biopsies. To provide insight into the management of IBC, we present this interesting case with a reflection on important lessons to be learned.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / therapy
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Inflammatory Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Inflammatory Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Mammography / methods
  • Mastectomy, Modified Radical / methods
  • Mastectomy, Segmental
  • Middle Aged
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / methods
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy / methods
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / therapy
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Risk Assessment
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Skin Neoplasms / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome