title: Lessons learned from an unusual case of inflammatory breast cancer.
abstract: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare breast malignancy that is associated with poor long-term outcomes despite aggressive surgical and chemotherapeutic interventions. We recently treated a 56-year-old woman with right-sided IBC and biopsy-proven cutaneous metastases to her back and left breast. She underwent chemotherapy, bilateral modified radical mastectomy, and radiation therapy. One year after diagnosis, she is currently disease-free based on positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging and repeat skin biopsies. To provide insight into the management of IBC, we present this interesting case with a reflection on important lessons to be learned.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zendejas
authors.forename: Shahzad M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Jeffrey S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Scow
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Farley
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D058922:Inflammatory Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods; D015411:Mastectomy, Modified Radical / Q000379:methods; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy / Q000379:methods; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome