Breast, inflammatory carcinoma [LMP33771]

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Diagnostic Modality: 
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Disease Category: 
Neoplasia
Diagnosis: 
Breast-inflammatory carcinoma
Species: 
Human
Organ System: 
Breast
Gender: 
Female
Age: 
69 years
Diagnosis Code: 
ICD-10: C50.9 | ICD-O: 8530/3
Slide Contributor Information
Chang, M.

Keywords

Breast, invasive, ductal, carcinoma, dermal, lymphovascular

Clinical History

Prior history of breast cancer, now recurring with diffuse “red/bruised” appearance on the skin of the breast.

Clinical Discussion

Inflammatory carcinoma is a rare and aggressive form of breast carcinoma defined both by clinical findings (rapid onset breast enlargement/firmness or skin changes (redness/swelling) within at least a third of the breast. Contrary to its misleading name these findings do not correlate histologically to the presence of inflammatory cells, but result from the obstruction of vessels by tumour involvement as seen in this case. The bulk of disease often does reside within vessels; however, an accompanying high-grade invasive carcinoma of no special type is also often present. Based on its aggressive course, inflammatory carcinoma is staged as T4d.