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Inflammatory Breast Cancer Center - Blacksburg, VA

Blacksburg 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 Blacksburg *

Blue Ridge Cancer Care
William A Fintel
1900 Electric Rd
STE 100
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 774-8660

Blue Ridge Cancer Care Oncology & Hematology Associates
Lowell Inhorn
2013 S Jefferson St SW
Roanoke, VA 24014
(540) 982-0237

Blacksburg, Virginia

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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 Blacksburg

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Blacksburg Hospitals *

Montgomery Regional Hospital
3700 S Main St
Blacksburg, VA 24060
(540)951-1111

Carilion New River Valley Medical Center
2900 Lamb Cir
Christiansburg, VA 24073
(540)731-2000

Carilion Saint Albans Behavioral Health
2900 Lamb Cir
Christiansburg, VA 24073
(540)731-2000

Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital
1 Taylor Ave
Pearisburg, VA 24134
(540)921-6000

Mount Regis Center
405 Kimball Ave
Salem, VA 24153
(540)389-4761

Catawba Hospital
5525 Catawba Hospital Dr
Catawba, VA 24070
(540)375-4200

Lewis-Gale Medical Center
1900 Electric Rd
Salem, VA 24153
(540)776-4000

Salem VA Medical Center
1970 Roanoke Blvd
Salem, VA 24153
(540)982-2463

Pulaski Community Hospital
2400 Lee Hwy
Pulaski, VA 24301
(540)994-8100

Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
1906 Belleview Ave
Roanoke, VA 24014
(540)981-7000

Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital
101 Elm Ave SE
Roanoke, VA 24013
(540)985-8000

Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital
180 Floyd Ave
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
(540)483-5277

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