11. Breast cancer

What is the definition of “inflammatory breast cancer”?

• Inflammatory breast cancer is a subtype of locally advanced breast cancer that is characterized by
• Erythema
• Lymphedema of the skin (peau d’orange)
• Diffuse thickening of the breast tissue.
• This appearance is caused by obstruction of the dermal lymphatics with tumor cells.
• Inflammatory cancer is always treated with chemotherapy as the initial approach.
• If all inflammatory skin changes resolve, mastectomy is performed.

What are the absolute contraindications for breast-conserving surgery in breast carcinoma?

• The absolute contraindications for breast- conserving surgery in breast carcinoma are:

1. a) Two or more primary tumours in separate quadrants of the breast
2. b) Diffuse malignant- appearing microcalcifications
3. c) A history of prior therapeutic irradiation to the breast region that would result in retreatment to an excessively high radiation dose
4. d) Pregnancy (pregnancy is an absolute contraindication to the use of breast irradiation)

What is the aim of breast-conserving surgery in breast carcinoma?

• The aim of breast conserving surgery in breast carcinoma is preservation of the breast -to remove the malignancy with a surrounding rim of grossly normal breast parenchyma.