Overview Of Inflammatory Breast Cancer Prognosis
Inflammatory Breast Cancer prognosis can be very hard to treat early because of the difficulty in diagnosing this type of cancer. Unlike different kinds of cancer, IBC does not usually present with a breast tumor or lump. It often is not seen on a regular Mammogram and may go undetected until it has metastasized, or invaded other organs and tissues in the body.
As a Stage IIIB cancer, IBC is normally treated very aggressively when it is diagnosed. The physical characteristics of the disease are often noticed by the patient and a general physician who has not seen this cancer may diagnose an infection, since that is what the cancer looks like. When IBC has invaded the lymph vessels, there is an greater blood flow and blocked vessels by cancer cells. This can cause the breast to become reddened, warm, dimpled, and swell.
Because of the rarity of IBC, general physicians may prescribe antibiotics to treat the symptoms of breast infection. A mammogram will often not reveal IBC because it does not have a tumor or mass. However, in some cases, the change in breast density will be identified if the mammogram is compared to a previous mammogram. The cancer affects women from 30-50 and is an aggressive and rapidly growing cancer.
The prognosis of for IBC varies greatly on how soon the disease is diagnosed and treatment begins. Of the women diagnosed with IBC and treated aggressively, about half survive five or more years, and nearly one-third are alive 20 years after diagnosis.This average is based on the number of women who have been diagnosed with the disease. However, if caught early the prognosis rises significantly.
The risk of recurrence of IBC is higher within 3 years after treatment. Doctors follow their patients very carefully with regular testing and examination to make sure no reoccurrence or metatasizing occurs after treatment has been completed. Radical treatment including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation dramatically increases survival rates for women diagnosed early with IBC.
IBC was considered rare and had not been as extensively studied, however, it has begun to be studied more intensively and there are new treatment programs being developed and tested on an increasing basis. The treatment of this cancer has become more aggressive and focused in recent years.
When IBC is diagnosed, the person who has been diagnosed should remember that the statistics for prognosis are not the final word in how your treatment or prognosis in treatment and survival will be. Treatments affect people in different ways and working closely with health professionals and a positive support network can have a significant impact on your inflammatory breast cancer prognosis.
The treatment professionals that work with you will develop an aggressive plan for treatment and, in most cases, provide you with other kinds of assistance that will be very helpful in your overall treatment plan. Building a support network for your mind, body, and spirit will be helpful during and after your treatment. In most cases, women have many questions about their treatment and the steps that will be required to become cancer free. For some people, writing down questions and concerns to discuss with your health professional before you go for your consultation will help you to get all of the answers you need.
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