Health Conditions A-Z Cancer Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer By Yuliya Klochan Yuliya Klochan Yuliya is an evergreen writer and editor for Health, where she covers topics such as neurological diseases, reproductive and LGBTQ+ health, cancer, and more. She has created online content for more than seven years—reported articles, blogs, social media, and videos—and has conducted medical and social science research. As an advocate and educator, she led reproductive health workshops for healthcare providers and college students. health's editorial guidelines Updated on July 2, 2024 Medically reviewed by Gagandeep Brar, MD Medically reviewed by Gagandeep Brar, MD Gagandeep Brar, MD, is a board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist. Her research interest is in gastrointestinal malignancies with a focus on immune and targeted therapies. learn more PORNCHAI SODA / Getty Images Although rare, inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) may be why your nipple is itching like crazy. Itching nipples are generally nothing to worry about unless they're accompanied by redness, skin that looks like an orange peel, and swelling. IBC is a rare, aggressive form of breast cancer that tends to develop quickly, sometimes in just a few weeks or months. Cancer cells start in the milk ducts of the breast and rapidly spread to the skin. The signs typically affect the skin. Most non-inflammatory breast cancer cases come with breast lumps, but this symptom only occurs in about 25% of IBC cases. IBC can mimic many other non-cancerous conditions, such as injuries or infections. These symptoms develop fast and need to be present for less than six months for an IBC diagnosis. Only one breast is typically affected. IBC accounts for about 1% to 5% of all breast cancer cases. Early diagnosis is crucial because IBC spreads fast. Read on to learn about IBC symptoms and when itchy nipples are something to worry about. Updated Screening Guidelines In 2024, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released new guidelines recommending that women get screened for breast cancer every other year between the ages of 40 and 74. Some women may need an annual screening, especially if you're at a higher risk of breast cancer or if you have dense breast tissue. Nipple Itching You might notice your nipple itching like crazy, and the breast may also feel heavy. Nipple itching can be a sign of an inflammatory condition like IBC. Keep in mind that itchy nipples can also mean pregnancy, and an itchy breast may also mean that your period is near. Hormone changes that occur during pregnancy and the menstrual cycle might result in itching. An allergic reaction or skin irritation can also cause itchy nipples. Redness Redness (erythema) in IBC progresses fast to cover at least a third of the breast. The skin may appear pink, reddish-purple, or bruised. About 62% of people with IBC may get this symptom. Redness is also a symptom of many other non-cancerous breast conditions. An infection called mastitis can cause erythema along with lumpiness, warmth, and tenderness. Mastitis is a common issue for people who are breastfeeding. Retracted or Inverted Nipple A nipple may retract, or start to point inward, in about 16% of IBC cases. About 10% to 20% of all people have inverted nipples, but not all of those have IBC. Many people are born with this condition. Some can develop it with breast sagging and sudden weight loss. Nipples may also retract after breast surgery or because of an infection like mastitis. Skin Like an Orange Peel Peau d'orange, or skin that looks and feels like an orange peel, is the most recognizable symptom of IBC. It involves dimpling and thickening of the breast skin. About 46% of people with IBC may have dimpling or discoloration. Breast skin appearance changes occur because IBC cells block lymph vessels in the skin, causing lymphatic fluid (lymph) to build up. The lymph vessels normally carry this fluid, which is part of the immune system, throughout the body to clear an infection. Peau d'orange may be a symptom of other breast conditions, such as fibrocystic breast disease (FBD). FBD, which is the most common non-cancerous breast disease, also comes with pain and nipple discharge. It may affect anywhere between 30% to 60% of women, most commonly between the ages of 30 and 50. Swelling Swelling (edema) of the skin in IBC spreads quickly to at least one-third of the breast. One of the breasts may appear larger or fuller than the other. About 48% of people with IBC may experience swelling of the skin or fullness. People with IBC may also experience swollen lymph nodes under the arm, near the collarbone, or in both locations. Lymph nodes are locations in the immune system where the body fights infection. Breast swelling can occur naturally around your period. It can also happen because of an injury, infection, or breast implant surgery complication. Warmth, Pain, and Tenderness You may feel pain, burning, tenderness, or abnormal warmth in the breast affected by IBC. Healthcare providers may confuse these symptoms with an infection and try to treat it with antibiotics. This can result in a delayed IBC diagnosis. Follow up with a healthcare provider for more tests if your symptoms don't get better within seven to 10 days of antibiotic treatment. Healthcare providers can also misdiagnose these symptoms as: Allergic reaction A breastfeeding-related change Cyst, or a non-cancerous lump filled with fluid Insect bite Is Inflammatory Breast Cancer Contagious? IBC is not a contagious condition that spreads from person to person. The symptoms that occur with IBC, such as nipple itching, pain, and swelling, are also not contagious. Genetic changes, which aren't contagious but can be passed down from parent to child, usually don't cause IBC. Some evidence suggests that people with a family history of triple-negative breast cancer may have a higher risk of IBC. Other risk factors that are linked to breast cancer include: Alcohol use Dense breast tissue Hormone therapy for menopause Increased exposure to the hormone estrogen (e.g., menstruating at an early age, never giving birth, or starting menopause at a later age) Obesity Older age Personal history of breast cancer or disease Radiation therapy to the breast or chest When To Contact a Healthcare Provider Watch out for symptoms, and contact a healthcare provider if something feels off. IBC is easier to treat if diagnosed early. Contact a healthcare provider right away if you have an armpit or breast lump or nipple discharge. See a healthcare provider if you've been treated for breast cancer and have: Abdominal, bone, or chest pain New breast lumps Nipple discharge Rash on the breast Swelling An IBC diagnosis can be difficult to process but know that treatments are advancing. There are already multiple treatment options available, such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. Some people can get drug-based immunotherapy and targeted therapy. You may receive multiple treatments together. Questions To Ask Your Provider Here are some questions to ask a healthcare provider if you seek further care: How large is the cancer? Has it spread beyond the breast and to other body parts? What are my treatment options? Are there any risks and side effects of these treatments? What can I do to reduce symptoms like nipple itching, pain, and swelling? What is my five-year survival rate? Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer A Quick Review IBC is a rare type of breast cancer that develops aggressively and quickly. Symptoms can include nipple itching, redness, skin that looks like an orange peel, and swelling. It's less common to have symptoms like an armpit or breast lump, which is common with other types of breast cancer. It's important to see a healthcare provider right away if you have the above symptoms. The earlier a healthcare provider diagnoses IBC, the easier it is to treat. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 15 Sources Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Cancer Society. Inflammatory breast cancer. National Cancer Institute. Inflammatory breast cancer. Hester RH, Hortobagyi GN, Lim B. Inflammatory breast cancer: Early recognition and diagnosis is critical. 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