This blockage causes the breast to become red, swollen and warm. The skin of the breast may have ridges or look pitted, like the skin of an orange. Other symptoms may include discharge from the nipple, the nipple being pulled back, and swelling under the arm or above the collarbone. Often a tumor cannot be felt, even though one may appear on a mammogram. Inflammatory breast cancer usually grows rapidly, and the cancer cells are likely to spread to other parts of the body.
Systemic treatments travel through the body to attack cancer cells that have spread.
The CIS is a program of the National Cancer Institute. In a clinical trial, patients receive new treatments and doctors study how the treatments affect the patients. Before you enter a study, you must be given all the facts about the research in an informed consent form. This includes details about all treatments, tests, benefits and risks. If you agree to take part, you will be asked to sign this form.