Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare form of breast cancer. The cancer gets its name because the symptoms mimic those of mastitis (inflammation of the breast) and include redness, tenderness, swelling, and pain in the breast. However, unlike mastitis, inflammatory breast cancer does not improve with antibiotic treatment.
The breast is mainly composed of fatty tissue. Within this tissue is a network of lobes, which are made up of tiny, tube-like structures called lobules that contain milk glands. Tiny ducts connect the glands, lobules, and lobes and carry the milk from the lobes to the nipple, located in the middle of the areola (darker area that surrounds the nipple of the breast). Blood and lymph vessels run throughout the breast; blood nourishes the cells, and the lymph system drains bodily waste products. The lymph vessels connect to lymph nodes. In inflammatory breast cancer, the cancer cells block the lymph vessels within the breast. Because this type of breast cancer can be fast-growing, it is treated with a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy.
Statistics
Estimates of the incidence of inflammatory breast cancer range from 1% to 5% of all breast cancers. Because inflammatory breast cancer can grow and spread quickly, it may be advanced at the time of diagnosis, and may be treated similar to a late stage breast cancer. As with most cancers, early detection and treatment increase survival rates.
Cancer statistics should be interpreted with caution. These estimates are based on data from thousands of cases of this type of cancer in the United States each year, but the actual risk for a particular individual may differ. It is not possible to tell a woman how long she will live with inflammatory breast cancer. Because the survival statistics are measured in five-year (or sometimes one-year) intervals, they may not represent advances made in the treatment or diagnosis of this cancer.
A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, such as smoking, and some cannot be controlled, such as age and family history. Although risk factors can influence the development of cancer, most directly do not cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do. However, knowing your risk factors and communicating them to your doctor can help you make more informed lifestyle and health-care choices.
It is not known what factors can raise a person's risk of inflammatory breast cancer. A family history of inflammatory breast cancer may increase the risk of developing the disease, but, to date, no gene mutation has been found specifically for this type of breast cancer.
Women with inflammatory breast cancer may experience the following symptoms. Sometimes, women with inflammatory breast cancer do not show any of these symptoms. Or, these symptoms may be caused by a medical condition that is not cancer. If you are concerned about a symptom on this list, please talk with your doctor.
A red, swollen, or warm breast. This symptom is caused when the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. Because inflammatory breast cancer cells are located within the lymph channels of the breast, it often quickly spreads throughout the body.
Skin or nipple changes, including ridges, puckering, or roughness on the skin. This roughness has been compared with the skin of an orange (peau d'orange).
A lump in the breast, although often there is not distinct lump.
Pain in the breast or nipple
Nipple discharge
Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer may appear quickly and within a short time of each other.
Doctors use many tests to diagnose cancer and determine if it has metastasized (spread). Some tests may also determine which treatments may be the most effective. For most types of cancer, a biopsy is the only way to make a definitive diagnosis of cancer. If a biopsy is not possible, the doctor may suggest other tests that will help make a diagnosis. Imaging tests may be used to find out whether the cancer has metastasized. Your doctor may consider these factors when choosing a diagnostic test:
Age and medical condition
The type of cancer
Severity of symptoms
Previous test results
In addition to a physical examination, the following tests may be used to diagnose inflammatory breast cancer:
Imaging
Diagnostic mammography. Diagnostic mammography is an x-ray of the breast. It is similar to screening mammography except that more views (pictures) of the breast are taken.
Ultrasound. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the breast tissue. An ultrasound may distinguish between a solid mass, which may be cancer, and a fluid-filled cyst, which is usually not cancer.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI uses magnetic fields, not x-rays, to produce detailed images of the body.
Biopsy methods
A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope. Other tests can suggest that cancer is present, but only a biopsy can make a definite diagnosis. The sample removed from the biopsy is analyzed by a pathologist (a doctor who specializes in interpreting laboratory tests and evaluates cells, tissues, and organs to diagnose disease).
Image guided percutaneous core biopsy is used when a distinct lump can't be felt. During this procedure, a hollow needle is guided to the area of concern with the help of mammography or ultrasound. If a cancer is only found by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), then the needle biopsy may be guided by that technique. A small metal clip may be put into the breast to mark the site of biopsy, in case the sample tissue proves cancerous and additional surgery is required. An advantage of this technique is that a patient may only need one operation for treatment or determining the cancer's stage (extent).
Stereotactic core biopsy is a type of image guided biopsy that uses x-rays to find the area of tissue to be removed.
Vacuum-assisted biopsy uses a thicker, hollow needle to remove multiple, larger cores of tissue with a single insertion of the vacuum-assisted probe. This technique also uses image guidance.
Surgical biopsy removes the largest amount of tissue. This biopsy may be incisional (removal of part of a suspicious lump) or excisional (removal of an entire lump).
If cancer is diagnosed, a second operation may be needed to obtain a clear margin (area of healthy tissue around the tumor where there are no cancer cells) and/or remove lymph nodes.
Doctors may also test the tissue obtained during a biopsy to help guide treatment decisions. The tests include:
Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) tests. These tests help determine both the prognosis (chance of recovery) and whether the cells respond to hormone therapy. Generally, ER and/or PR positive (+) tumors will respond to hormone therapy. A woman's ER/PR status helps guide treatment decisions.
HER-2/neu tests: This is a protein that is overexpressed (too much of it) in about 25% of breast cancers. The HER-2 status helps determine whether a drug called trastuzumab (Herceptin) might be useful for treating breast cancer. Read more in the ASCO Patient Guide: HER-2 Testing for Breast Cancer.
Blood tests
The doctor may also require blood tests to help determine whether the cancer has spread outside of the breast. These include:
Complete blood count (CBC). CBC is a blood test done to determine the hemoglobin level (the amount of oxygen in red blood cells), hematocrit level (the percentage of red blood cells in whole blood), the number of white blood cells (cells that help to fight infection), the number of platelets (cells that help blood to clot as necessary), and a differential (the percentage of several types of white blood cells).
Alkaline phosphatase levels. High levels of this enzyme could indicate that the disease has spread to the liver, and bone cells.
Total bilirubin count, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) levels. These tests evaluate liver function. High levels can indicate liver damage, a signal of possible spread to that organ.
Additional tests
The doctor may order additional noninvasive tests (depending on the woman's medical history and results of the physical examination) to determine the stage of the cancer. These may include:
X-ray. An x-ray is a picture of the inside of the body. For instance, a chest x-ray can help doctors determine if the cancer has spread to the lungs.
Bone scan. A bone scan can show if cancer has spread to the skeletal system. In this procedure, the doctor injects a small amount of a radioactive tracer into the patient's vein. It collects in areas of the bone, and is detected by a special camera. Healthy bone appears gray to the camera, while areas of injury, such as those caused by cancer, appear dark.
Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan. A CT scan creates a three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body with an x-ray machine. A computer then combines these images into a detailed, cross-sectional view that shows any abnormalities or tumors. Sometimes, a contrast medium (a special dye) is injected into a patient's vein before the scan to provide better detail.
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan. In a PET scan, radioactive sugar molecules are injected into the body. Cancer cells absorb sugar more quickly than normal cells, so they light up on the PET scan. PET scans are often used to complement information gathered from a CT scan, MRI, and physical examination.
Staging is a way of describing a cancer, such as where it is located, if or where it has spread, and if it is affecting the functions of other organs in the body. Doctors use diagnostic tests to determine the cancer's stage, so staging may not be complete until all the tests are finished. Knowing the stage helps the doctor to decide what kind of treatment is best and can help predict a patient's prognosis. There are different stage descriptions for different types of cancer.
One tool that doctors use to describe the stage is the TNM system. This system uses three criteria to judge the stage of the cancer: the tumor itself, the lymph nodes around the tumor, and if the tumor has spread to other parts of the body. The results are combined to determine the stage of cancer for each person. There are five stages: stage 0 (zero) and stages I through IV (one through four). The stage provides a common way of describing the cancer so doctors can work together to plan the best treatments.
TNM is an abbreviation for tumor (T), node (N), and metastasis (M). Doctors look at these three factors to determine the stage of cancer:
How large is the primary tumor and where is it located? (Tumor, T)
Has the tumor spread to the lymph nodes? (Node, N)
Has the cancer metastasized (spread) to other parts of the body? (Metastasis, M)
Inflammatory breast cancer is generally considered stage IIIb breast cancer at a minimum at the time of diagnosis. For more complete breast cancer staging information, see the Staging section of the Cancer.Net Guide to Breast Cancer.
Stage IIIb: The cancer has spread to the chest wall or caused swelling or ulceration of the breast. It may or may not have spread to the lymph nodes under the arm, but it has not spread to other parts of the body (T4, N0, N1, N2, M0).
Stage IV: The cancer can be any size and has spread to distant sites in the body, usually the bones, lung, liver, or brain (any T, any N, M1).
Recurrent breast cancer
Cancer is called recurrent if it comes back after it was first diagnosed and treated. Inflammatory breast cancer may come back in the breast (called a local recurrence), in the chest wall, or in another part of the body (called a distant metastasis), including distant organs (such as the lungs or liver), bones, or other lymph nodes.
Used with permission of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), Chicago, Illinois. The original source for this material is the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, Sixth Edition (2002) published by Springer-Verlag New York, www.springer-ny.com.
The treatment of inflammatory breast cancer depends on the size and location of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread, and the woman's overall health. In many cases, a team of doctors will work with the patient to determine the best treatment plan. For inflammatory breast cancer, treatment will often include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. Inflammatory breast cancer is typically considered a late-stage breast cancer and, therefore, treated aggressively.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be given before surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer. It may also be combined with radiation therapy. Systemic chemotherapy is delivered through the bloodstream, targeting cancer cells throughout the body. The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the individual and the dose used, but can include fatigue, risk of infection, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. These side effects usually go away once treatment is finished.
Chemotherapy may be the first treatment given for inflammatory breast cancer, especially since cancer cells may have already spread to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy can reduce the size of the tumor and the swelling in the breast, increasing the likelihood of successful surgery.
The medications used to treat cancer are continually being evaluated. Talking with your doctor is often the best way to learn about the medications you've been prescribed, their purpose, and their potential side effects or interactions. Learn more about your prescriptions through Cancer.Net's Drug Information Resources, which provides links to multiple drug databases.
Surgery
The type of surgery for inflammatory breast cancer depends on the stage of the cancer. Because inflammatory breast cancer can be fast-growing, a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast), is often done. In some cases, lumpectomy (removal of the tumor and a disease-free area [margin] of tissue around it), is possible.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells. The most common type of radiation treatment is called external-beam radiation, which is radiation given from a machine outside the body. When radiation treatment is given using pellet implants, it is called brachytherapy or internal radiation therapy.
Side effects from radiation therapy include tiredness, mild skin reactions, upset stomach, and loose bowel movements. Most side effects go away soon after treatment is finished.
Hormone therapy
If the cancer has estrogen receptors, hormone therapy is an option. The goal of hormone therapy is to reduce the amount of estrogen in the body that could fuel the cancer cells, either by reducing the woman's ability to make estrogen, or by giving drugs to block the estrogen receptors on the tumor.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has a series of treatment guidelines that have been translated into patient-friendly language. In accordance with Cancer.Net's Linking Policy, please note that this link does not imply ASCO's endorsement of the content, but rather it is an effort to provide additional information that may be helpful to people living with cancer and their families. The NCCN treatment guide for breast cancer can be found at www.nccn.org
Doctors and scientists are always looking for better ways to treat patients with inflammatory breast cancer. A clinical trial is a way to test a new treatment in order to prove that it is safe, effective, and possibly better than a standard treatment. Patients who participate in clinical trials are among the first to receive new treatments, such as new chemotherapy, before they are widely available. However, there is no guarantee that the new treatment will be safe, effective, or better than a standard treatment.
Patients decide to participate in clinical trials for many reasons. For some patients, a clinical trial is the best treatment option available. Because standard treatments are not perfect, patients are often willing to face the added uncertainty of a clinical trial in the hope of a better result. Other patients volunteer for clinical trials because they know that this is the only way to make progress in treating breast cancer, such as finding new drugs. Even if they do not benefit directly from the clinical trial, their participation may benefit future patients with inflammatory breast cancer.
To join a clinical trial, patients must complete a learning process known as informed consent. During informed consent, the doctor should list all of the patient's options, so that the person understands the standard treatment, and how the new treatment differs from the standard treatment. The doctor must also list all of the risks of the new treatment, which may or may not be different from the risks of standard treatment. Finally, the doctor must explain what will be required of each patient in order to participate in the clinical trial, including the number of doctor visits, tests, and the schedule of treatment. Learn more about clinical trials, including patient safety, phases of a clinical trial, deciding to participate in a clinical trial, questions to ask the research team, and links to find cancer clinical trials.
Cancer and cancer treatment can cause a variety of side effects; some are easily controlled and others require specialized care. Below are some of the side effects that are more common to inflammatory breast cancer and its treatments. For more detailed information on managing these and other side effects of cancer and cancer treatment, visit the Cancer.Net Managing Side Effects section.
Anemia. Anemia is common in people with cancer, especially those receiving chemotherapy. Anemia is an abnormally low level of red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs contain hemoglobin (an iron protein) that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. If the level of RBCs is too low, parts of the body do not get enough oxygen and cannot work properly. Most people with anemia feel tired or weak. The fatigue (tiredness) associated with anemia can seriously affect quality of life and make it more difficult for patients to cope with cancer and treatment side effects.
Fatigue. Fatigue is extreme exhaustion or tiredness, and is the most common problem that people with cancer experience. More than half of patients experience fatigue during chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and up to 70% of patients with advanced cancer experience fatigue. Patients who feel fatigue often say that even a small effort, such as walking across a room, can seem like too much. Fatigue can seriously affect family and other daily activities, can make patients avoid or skip cancer treatments, and may even affect the will to live.
Fluid in the abdomen (ascites). Ascites is the buildup of fluid in the abdomen, in the area around the organs known as the peritoneal cavity. Ten percent of all ascites is caused by cancer and is called malignant ascites. Most cancer-related ascites appears in patients with cancers of the ovary, endometrium (lining of the uterus), breast, colon, gastrointestinal (GI) system, or pancreas. These cancers can cause fluid to build up in the body. People with ascites may experience weight gain, abdominal swelling, a sense of fullness or bloating, a sense of heaviness, indigestion, nausea and/or vomiting, changes to the navel, hemorrhoids (a condition that causes painful swelling near the anus), or ankle swelling.
Fluid in the arms or legs (lymphedema). Lymphedema is the abnormal buildup of fluid in the lymphatic system, the series of channels and nodes (small sacs that hold fluid) that carries lymph through the body and helps fight infection and disease. Lymph is a clear liquid that carries protein and cells that fight infection. When cancers metastasize, cells first go to the lymph nodes and then are carried to other parts of the body. Lymphedema can develop immediately after cancer surgery or radiation therapy, or it can develop months or years later. Women who have radical mastectomies (removal of the breast, underarm lymph nodes, and lining of the chest muscles) are at higher risk of developing lymphedema. The most common causes of lymphedema include surgery to remove the lymph nodes, especially for breast cancer, prostate cancer, or melanoma; radiation therapy to the lymph nodes; metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread from its primary location); bacterial or fungal infection; injury to the lymph nodes; and other diseases involving the lymph system.
Fluid around the lungs (malignant pleural effusion). A pleural effusion is a condition characterized by extra fluid building up in the pleural space, the space between the edge of the lungs and the chest wall. A malignant pleural effusion is caused by cancer that grows in the pleural space. About half of patients with cancer develop a pleural effusion. More than 75% of patients with a malignant pleural effusion have lymphoma or cancers of the breast, lung, or ovary. The symptoms of a pleural effusion include dyspnea (shortness of breath), dry cough, pain, feeling of chest heaviness, inability to exercise, and malaise (feeling unwell).
Hair loss (alopecia). A potential side effect of radiation therapy and chemotherapy is hair loss. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy cause hair loss by damaging the hair follicles responsible for hair growth. Hair loss may occur throughout the body, including the head, face, arms, legs, underarms, and pubic area. The hair may fall out entirely, gradually, or in sections. In some cases, the hair will simply thin-sometimes unnoticeably-and may become duller and dryer. Losing one's hair can be a psychologically and emotionally challenging experience and can affect a patient's self-image and quality of life. However, the hair loss is usually temporary, and the hair often grows back.
Hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia is an unusually high level of calcium in the blood. Hypercalcemia can be life threatening and is the most common metabolic disorder associated with cancer, occurring in 10% to 20% of patients with cancer. While most of the calcium in the body is stored in the bones, about 1% of the body's calcium circulates in the bloodstream. Calcium is important for many bodily functions, including bone formation, muscle contractions, and nerve and brain function. Patients with hypercalcemia may experience loss of appetite, nausea and/or vomiting; constipation and abdominal pain; increased thirst and frequent urination; fatigue, weakness, and muscle pain; changes in mental status, including confusion, disorientation, and difficulty thinking; and headaches. Severe hypercalcemia can be associated with kidney stones, irregular heartbeat or heart attack, and eventually loss of consciousness and coma.
Infection. An infection occurs when harmful bacteria, viruses, or fungi (such as yeast) invade the body and the immune system is not able to destroy them quickly enough. Patients with cancer are more likely to develop infections because both cancer and cancer treatments (particularly chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the bones or extensive areas of the body) can weaken the immune system. Symptoms of infection include fever (temperature of 100.5°F or higher); chills or sweating; sore throat or sores in the mouth; abdominal pain; pain or burning when urinating or frequent urination; diarrhea or sores around the anus; cough or breathlessness; redness, swelling, or pain, particularly around a cut or wound; and unusual vaginal discharge or itching.
Menopausal symptoms in women. Up to 40% of women experience menopausal symptoms because of breast cancer or its treatments. Menopausal symptoms may depend on the type of therapy and may include hot flashes; night sweats; vaginal dryness, itching, irritation, or discharge; painful sexual intercourse; difficulties with bladder control; depressed feelings; and insomnia.
Mouth sores (mucositis). Mucositis is an inflammation of the inside of the mouth and throat, leading to painful ulcers and mouth sores. It occurs in up to 40% of patients receiving chemotherapy. Mucositis can be caused by a chemotherapeutic drug directly, the reduced immunity brought on by chemotherapy, or radiation treatment to the head and neck area.
Nausea and vomiting. Vomiting, also called emesis or throwing up, is the act of expelling the contents of the stomach through the mouth. It is a natural way for the body to rid itself of harmful substances. Nausea is the urge to vomit. Nausea and vomiting are common in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer and in some patients receiving radiation therapy. Many patients with cancer say they fear nausea and vomiting more than any other side effects of treatment. When it is minor and treated quickly, nausea and vomiting can be quite uncomfortable but cause no serious problems. Persistent vomiting can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, weight loss, depression, and avoidance of chemotherapy.
Sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction is common in all people, affecting up to 43% of women and 31% of men. It may be even more common in patients with cancer, because of treatments, the tumor, or stress. Many people, with or without cancer, find it intimidating to discuss sexual problems with their doctors. Sexual problems are most commonly caused by body changes from cancer surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, hormone changes, fatigue, pain, nausea and/or vomiting, medications that reduce libido (desire for sex), fear of recurrence, stress, depression, and anxiety. Symptoms of sexual dysfunction generally fall into four categories: desire disorders, arousal disorders, orgasmic disorders, and pain disorders.
Skin problems. The skin is an organ system that contains many nerves. Because of this, skin problems can be very painful. Because the skin is on the outside of the body and visible to others, many patients find skin problems especially difficult to cope with. Because the skin protects the inside of the body from infection, skin problems can often lead to other serious problems. As with other side effects, prevention or early treatment is best. In other cases, treatment and wound care can often improve pain and quality of life. Skin problems can have many different causes, including chemotherapy leaking out of the intravenous (IV) tube, which can cause pain or burning; peeling or burned skin caused by radiation therapy; pressure ulcers (bed sores) caused by constant pressure on one area of the body; and pruritus (itching) in patients with cancer, most often caused by leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, or other cancers.
Weight gain. Although it is more common to lose weight during cancer treatment, some patients with cancer gain weight. Slight increases in weight during cancer treatment are generally not problematic. However, significant weight gain may affect a patient's health and the ability to tolerate treatments. Chemotherapy, steroid medications, and hormone therapies can cause weight gain.
After treatment for inflammatory breast cancer ends, talk with your doctor about developing a follow-up care plan. This plan may include regular physical examinations and/or medical tests to monitor your recovery. The recommendations for breast cancer follow-up care usually include regular physical examinations and mammograms. Specific information can be found in the ASCO Patient Guide: Follow-up Care for Breast Cancer.
Breast cancer can recur in the breast or other areas of the body. The symptoms of a cancer recurrence include a new lump in the breast, under the arm, or along the chest wall; bone pain or fractures; headaches or seizures; chronic coughing or trouble breathing; extreme fatigue; and/or feeling ill. Talk with your doctor if you experience these or other symptoms. The possibility of recurrence is a common concern among survivors; learn more about Coping With Fear of Recurrence. Many people also benefit from survivor support groups or counseling.
Some patients experience breathlessness, a dry cough, and/or chest pain two to three months after finishing radiation treatment because the radiation can cause swelling and fibrosis (hardening or thickening) of the lungs. These symptoms are usually temporary. Talk with your doctor if you develop any new symptoms after radiation treatment or if the side effects are not going away.
Women taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex) should have a yearly pelvic exam because this drug can increase the risk of uterine cancer. Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any abnormal vaginal bleeding or other new symptoms.
Women who are taking an aromatase inhibitor, such as anastrozole (Arimidex), exemestane (Aromasin), or letrozole (Femara), may consider having a bone density test, as these drugs may cause some bone loss.
Women recovering from breast cancer are encouraged to follow established guidelines for good health, such as maintaining a healthy weight and diet and having recommended cancer screening tests. Talk with your doctor to develop a plan that is best for your needs. Moderate physical activity can help you rebuild your strength and energy level. Your doctor can help you create a safe exercise plan based upon your needs, physical abilities, and fitness level. Read the Cancer.Net Feature: Healthy Living After Cancer.
Late effects of treatment for breast cancer include secondary leukemia, which currently affects 1% of people treated for breast cancer. There has also been some data suggesting that osteoporosis (loss of bone mass that makes bones break easily) is a side effect of treatment.
Research for inflammatory breast cancer is ongoing. The following advancements may still be under investigation in clinical trials and may not be approved or available at this time. Always discuss all diagnostic and treatment options with your doctor.
The latest trend in research is looking at the effectiveness of antibodies combined with chemotherapy for people with inflammatory breast cancer. Trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy is promising for pre-operative treatment of people with inflammatory breast cancer whose tumors express extra copies of HER-2/neu. Also, the drug bevacizumab (Avastin), used in combination with the established drugs doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Rubex) and docetaxel (Taxotere), is being evaluated. Bevacizumab is a new drug that works by blocking the growth of new blood vessels that can bring nutrients to the cancer cells.
Regular communication with your doctor is important in making informed decisions about your health care. Consider asking the following questions of your doctor:
What is the stage of my cancer? What does this mean for treatment options?
What treatment options do I have?
What clinical trials are open to me?
What treatment option do you recommend? Why?
What side effects from treatment can I expect?
What are the chances that the cancer be successfully treated?
What is my prognosis?
How can I keep myself as healthy as possible during treatment?
What are the chances the cancer will recur after treatment?
What follow-up tests will be needed, and how often will I need them?
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation
321 High School Road, NE, #149
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Toll Free: 877-STOP-IBC (877-786-7422) www.ibcresearch.org
Rare Cancer Alliance
1649 N. Pacana Way
Green Valley, AZ 85614 www.rare-cancer.org
American Society of Breast Disease
P.O. Box 140186
Dallas, TX 75214
Phone: 214-368-6836 www.asbd.org
Breast Cancer Network of Strength
212 W Van Buren, Ste. 1000
Chicago, IL 60607
Toll Free: 800-221-2141 (English)
Toll Free: 800-986-9505 (Spanish)
Phone: 312-986-8338 www.networkofstrength.org
FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
16057 Tampa Palms Blvd. W, PMB 373
Tampa, FL 33647
Toll Free Helpline: 866-824-RISK (7475)
Toll Free: 866-288-7475
Phone: 954-255-8732 www.facingourrisk.org
HER2 Support Group
6973 Mimosa Dr.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
Phone: 760-602-9178 www.her2support.org
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation
321 High School Rd. NE, #149
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Toll Free: 877-STOP-IBC (877-786-7422) www.ibcresearch.org
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
10 E Athens Ave., Ste. 204
Ardmore, PA 19003
Toll Free: 888-753-LBBC (888-753-5222)
Phone: 610-645-4567 www.lbbc.org
Mothers Supporting Daughters with Breast Cancer
US Mail MSDBC
21710 Bayshore Rd.
Chestertown, MD 21620-4401
Phone: 410-778-1982 www.mothersdaughters.org
National Breast Cancer Coalition
1707 L Street, NW, Ste. 1060
Washington, DC 20036
Toll Free: 800-622-2838
Phone: 202-296-7477 www.stopbreastcancer.org
National Lymphedema Network
Latham Square
1611 Telegraph Ave., Ste. 1111
Oakland, CA 94612-2138
Toll Free: 800-541-3259
Phone: 510-208-3200 www.lymphnet.org
Nueva Vida, Inc.
2000 P St., NW, Ste. 740
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-223-9100 www.nueva-vida.org
SHARE: Self-help for Women with Breast or Ovarian Cancer
1501 Broadway, Ste. 704A
New York, NY 10036
Toll Free: 866-891-2392
Phone: 212-719-0364 www.sharecancersupport.org
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