Inflammatory Breast Cancer - Essay Example

The inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a form of malignant cancer which starts at the cellular level in the lymphatic system of the breast (Life Extension, 1995). During the normal growth process in women, and especially during puberty, the breast duct grows into a tree-like structure in response to the estrogen hormone secreted by the ovaries (Clark et. al, 2005). This process typically requires the breast cells to divide and multiply in order to replace the old/injured cells in the breast. This process of cell division is stimulated by a hormone called estrogen (Clark et. al, 2005). However, sometimes the breast cells, which are especially sensitive to cancer causing agents (carcinogens), may change to abnormal cells that multiply out of control, causing cancer. Researchers suspect that interaction between estrogen and certain cyclins like cyclin-D1 can stimulate cell division (Clark et. al, 2005). They have also found that over-expression of the growth factor TGF-alpha can also trigger increased cell division in breast cells (Clark et. al, 2005).

Unlike other type of breast cancers which present itself with a breast lump, IBC grows quickly in the narrow lymph vessels of the breast. The rapidly increasing breast cancer cells block the local lymphatic ducts in the breast, which is responsible for draining the waste, bacteria, viruses, excess and impurities from each part of the body and also help to carry useful white blood cells or lymphocytes and large proteins to the circulatory system (Virtual Medical Center, 2010). This restriction in drainage causes edematous swelling of the breast and nipple retraction (Virtual Medical Center, 2010).

The IBC usually grows in nests or sheets and therefore, it can be diffuse throughout the breast with no palpable mass (Anderson, 2006). In inflammatory breast cancer, the cancer cells occupy large portions of the breast within a period of few weeks to months. Accumulation of the lymphatic fluid gives the skin of the breast a dimpled appearance like that of an orange peel (peau d’orange) (Life Extension, 1995). Other symptoms include rapid increase in breast size, redness, persistent itching and the skin feels hot to touch (Life Extension, 1995).

IBC progresses rapidly and therefore it is not generally diagnosed until it is in Stage III or Stage IV, when the signs like edematous swelling of the breast, muscle aches and pains become more prominent (Rahn, 2006). This advanced and accelerated form of breast cancer cannot be usually detected by mammograms or ultrasounds (Life Extension, 1995).

Since these cancer cells grow in the lymph vessels, it allows them to spread rapidly to other locations in the body like the lymph nodes, bone, lungs, liver and brain (Virtual Medical Center, 2010). The most common site that breast cancer cells metastasize is the bone. The uncontrolled multiplication of altered cells in IBC continues with the development of a new blood supply for the tumor, a process called angiogenesis (Kleer et. al, 2000). IBC is highly angiogenic and invasive and therefore gives rise to highly vascularized tumors at the primary and distant metastatic sites (Kleer et. al, 2000).

Inflammatory breast cancer disrupts the homeostasis maintained by breast cells when they undergo cell division to replace old or injured cells in the breast – a normal part of the growth process. It also disrupts the normal flow of fluids within the lymphatic system which is an integral part of the human immune system. Research has also revealed that when breast cancer cells metastasize to bone, they disrupt calcium homeostasis resulting in bone destruction (Arteaga, n.d.).