Staging
Inflammatory breast cancer is by definition at least stage III at the time of diagnosis. Here are the stages of IBC and the treatment options available at each stage.
Stage III
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Description
- The cancer is "locally advanced," meaning it has invaded nearby tissue and lymph nodes, but has not yet spread to other parts of the body.
Treatment
- Chemotherapy to shrink the tumor as much as possible, followed by surgery (modified radical mastectomy) to remove it. Then adjuvant radiation therapy and possibly more chemotherapy to eliminate any last traces of the cancer.
Stage IV
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Description
- The cancer is "metastatic," meaning it has spread to other parts of the body.
Treatment
- Surgery and radiation therapy not as useful in stage IV compared to stage III but there are clinical situations that these treatments may be indicated. Treated systemically, with chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy.
