Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) Treatment in Thailand

What is Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)?

IBC, or inflammatory breast cancer, is a rare but deadly kind of breast cancer. It only makes up 1-5% of breast cancer. IBC results in breast inflammation symptoms, including redness and swelling, which are brought on by cancer cells obstructing cutaneous lymph veins, making the breast appear "inflamed. It is common in women who are under the age of 40 and women who are obese.

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

Timely treatment of Inflammatory Breast Cancer is crucial for many possible reasons :

• Preventing Spread: Early detection can stop IBC from spreading to other body sites, including lymph nodes. Due to its aggressive nature, Early efforts to limit its spread boost the chances of a successful course of treatment.
• Improving Survival: Women with IBC tend to have a worse outcome than women with other common types of breast cancer due to its aggressiveness; it grows and spreads much more swiftly than standard types of breast cancer. For better outcomes, early intervention can significantly increase long-term survival.
• Reducing Complications: Early treatment minimises the risk of complications such as spread to the other organs through lymph nodes or the bloodstream, also called metastasis and the need for more aggressive treatments.
• Preserving Quality of Life : Less invasive techniques and improving surgical outcomes are frequently used in early treatment, enhancing quality of life and speeding up recovery.
• Psychological Benefits: Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce stress and anxiety linked with the uncertainty of untreated cancer.

What are the Common Symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)?

The majority of the signs and symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) appear rapidly (within 3-6 months), and they include:

• Noticeable changes in the skin of the breast, pitting and thickening of the skin like an orange peel appearance.
• Visible swelling, redness and warmth are the signs of breast inflammation.
• One breast appears larger than the other due to inflammation
• A retracted or inverted nipple
• Swelling of the lymph nodes close to the collarbone or under the arms.
• One breast feels warmer and heavier than the other.

Causes and Risk Factors of Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)

The exact causes of IBC are not fully recognised, but several factors are involved to its development:

Causes

• Genetic Mutations: Uncontrolled cell proliferation in the breast ducts/Milk ducts can result from mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
• Hormonal Factors: Estrogen and progesterone hormones can escalate the growth of cancer cells.
• Environmental Factors: Certain chemicals and exposure to radiation can increase the risk factors.

Risk Factors

• Age - It tends to occur in younger women under age 40.
• Gender- Women are at higher risk of IBC than men, Black women appear to develop IBC more than white women.
• Genetics also increases the risk factor of IBC if there is any family history of breast cancer.
• Personal History - The risk may be increased by prior breast cancer or benign breast illness.
• Obesity
• Alcohol Consumption
• Radiation Exposure

Latest Research and Technologies in the Treatment of Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) in Thailand

• Genetic Testing: BRCA1/2 and HER2 mutations are found in Thai IBC patients by exome sequencing, allowing genome-driven therapy selection.A critical indicator for the advancement of the illness and possible treatment resistance is the MARCKS protein's overexpression in Thai IBC patients.
  

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) Prevention Tips

Adopting good lifestyle practices and taking charge of your health is key to preventing Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC); here are some tips-

• Maintain a balanced diet rich in fibres that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins; certain foods are associated with reducing breast cancer risk, such as broccoli, kale, and green tea. Avoid alcohol consumption as it increases the risk of breast cancer in women.
• Lifestyle modifications should be made by staying physically active to maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer in women. Moderate aerobic exercises to vigorous aerobic activity are usually suggested.
• Quit smoking
• Visit your healthcare professionals for routine checkups and routine procedures like mammograms and breast examinations to detect any early abnormalities.
• Limit Hormone replacement therapies and use them over a short period too, under the medical guidance of healthcare professionals.
• Recognise early breast cancer symptoms like severe nipple retraction and unusual inflammation like swelling, itching, and breast enlargement, and seek medical attention if needed.
• For nursing mothers, breastfeeding might play a significant role in preventing breast cancer. According to some epidemiological evidence,for every 12 months of breastfeeding, the risk of breast cancer decreased by 4.3%, while the risk decreased by 7.0% for every birth.