title: What is inflammatory breast cancer? Revisiting the case definition.
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.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Washington, DC, 20037, USA. sphphl@gwumc.edu.
authors.forename: Paul H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: Ladan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zolfaghari
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Muhannad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hafi
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cannon
authors.forename: Chitra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ganesan
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Veneroso
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brem
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sherman