What is inflammatory breast cancer? revisiting the case definition

Authors

Paul H. Levine, Milken Institute School of Public Health
Ladan Zolfaghari, Milken Institute School of Public Health
Heather Young, Milken Institute School of Public Health
Muhannad Hafi, Milken Institute School of Public Health
Timothy Cannon, Milken Institute School of Public Health
Chitra Ganesan, Milken Institute School of Public Health
Carmela Veneroso, Milken Institute School of Public Health
Rachel Brem, George Washington University Medical Center
Mark Sherman, National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

3-1-2010

Journal

Cancers

Volume

2

Issue

1

DOI

10.3390/cancers2010143

Keywords

AJCC; Biology; Clinical presentation; Diagnosis; Inflammatory breast cancer; SEER

Abstract

The case definition for inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is controversial. The American Joint Committee on Cancer defines IBC as redness, warmth and edema involving at least half the breast. The SEER program relies on a pathologic finding of dermal lymphatic invasion and recently added those with clinical involvement of more than 3/4 of the breast. We established a registry to collect information and specimens from IBC patients to clarify the epidemiology and biology of these tumors. The goals of this report are to suggest improvements regarding case definitions and provide data on the variety of presentations relevant to early diagnosis. © 2010 by the authors.

APA Citation

Levine, P., Zolfaghari, L., Young, H., Hafi, M., Cannon, T., Ganesan, C., Veneroso, C., Brem, R., & Sherman, M. (2010). What is inflammatory breast cancer? revisiting the case definition. Cancers, 2 (1). http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cancers2010143