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Inflammatory Breast Cancer Center - Asheville, NC

Asheville Oncologist Doctors for Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Type of Physician: Oncologist

What is a Oncologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; the oncologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer and other benign and malignant tumors. These subspecialists decide on and administer chemotherapy as well as consult with surgeons and radiotherapists on other treatment for cancer.

Specialty: Oncology (Medical)

Common Name: Cancer Doctor

Oncologist Doctors in Asheville *

Mountain Regional Cancer Center
David S Thomas
14 Medical Park Loop
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-7610

Radiation Oncology & Palliative Medicine
Gregory L Jones
720 Malcolm Blvd
Physical Blue Ridge Carcea Center STE 200
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 879-7536

Seby B Jones Regional Cancer Center
Theodore F Gray
184 Virginia St
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 262-4344

CVMC Outpatient Infusion Center
Sheri Combs
1501 Tate Blvd, SE
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 485-1412

Asheville, North Carolina

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Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Introduction

Inflammatory breast cancer is an accelerated form of breast cancer that is usually not detected by mammogram or ultrasound.

It is a rare cancer, accounting for approximately 1% - 3% of all breast cancers. Inflammatory breast cancer causes the breast to appear swollen and inflamed. The inflammation occurs because the cancer cells block the lymphatic vessels in the skin of the breast. This causes a blockage in lymph flow leading to the reddened, inflamed appearance to the breast.

What Are the Symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer?

Unlike the more common form of breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer does not generally present as a lump. The disease grows as nests or sheets that clog the lymph system under the skin. Often the symptoms are attributed to other diseases and thus the diagnosis may take a long time to occur.

Symptoms include:

  • Pain in the breast. Often inflammatory breast cancer is mistaken as a breast infection and treated with antibiotics. If response to antibiotics doesn't occur after a week, request a breast biopsy or referral to a breast specialist.
  • Skin changes in the breast area. You may find pink or reddened areas often with the texture and thickness of an orange. (peau d'orange)
  • A bruise on the breast that doesn't go away
  • Sudden swelling of the breast
  • Itching of the breast
  • Nipple retraction or discharge
  • Swelling of the lymph nodes under the arm or in the neck.

How is Inflammatory Breast Cancer Diagnosed?

Inflammatory breast cancer is often misdiagnosed as another medical condition. It's important to pursue a breast or skin biopsy if treatments for another breast condition like an infection don't work.

How is Inflammatory Breast Cancer Treated?

Inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive cancer that...

Recommended Reading Related to Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Breast Biopsy »

What is a breast biopsy?

A breast biopsy is a procedure in which part or all of a suspicious breast growth is removed and examined, usually for the presence of cancer. The growth sample is suctioned out through a needle or cut out using a surgical procedure. The sample is then examined and evaluated under a microscope by a pathologist to identify non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant) tissue.

Words used to refer to the abnormal area or growth before and after diagnosis may include lump, mass, lesion, and tumor.

What is the purpose of a breast biopsy?

The basic aim of a breast biopsy is to determine whether or not a worrisome lump is cancer and, if it is cancer, what type it is. When no cancer is detected, the diagnosis of a benign or harmless lump is reassuring.

What specialties of physicians and practitioners do breast biopsies?

Many physicians and healthcare practitioners can be invol...

Emergency Contact for Asheville

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Asheville Hospitals *

Mission Hospitals St Joseph's Campus
428 Biltmore Ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828)213-1111

Mission St Joseph's Memorial Campus
509 Biltmore Ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828)213-1111

CarePartners Rehabilitation Hospital
68 Sweeten Creek Rd
Asheville, NC 28803
(828)274-2400

Asheville VA Medical Center
1100 Tunnel Rd
Asheville, NC 28805
(828)298-7911

Park Ridge Hospital
Naples Rd
Fletcher, NC 28732
(828)684-8501

Pardee Hospital
800 N Justice St
Hendersonville, NC 28791
(828)696-1000

Haywood Regional Medical Center
262 Leroy George Dr
Clyde, NC 28721
(828)456-7311

Transylvania Community Hospital
90 Hospital Dr
Brevard, NC 28712
(828)884-9111

The McDowell Hospital
430 Rankin Dr
Marion, NC 28752
(828)659-5000

St Luke's Hospital
101 Hospital Dr
Columbus, NC 28722
(828)894-3311

Spruce Pine Community Hospital
125 Hospital Dr
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828)765-4201

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