What is inflammatory carcinoma?

➢ is defined by its clinical presentation, rather than a specific morphology. ➢ Patients present with a swollen erythematous breast without a palpable mass. ➢ The underlying invasive carcinoma is generally poorly differentiated and diffusely infiltrates and obstructs dermal lymphatic spaces, causing the “inflamed” appearance; true inflammation is absent. ➢ Many of these tumors metastasize to distant sites; ➢ the overall 5-year survival is less than 50%, and understandably even lower in those with metastatic disease at diagnosis. ➢ About half express ER and 40% to 60% overexpress HER2.