Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is clinically characterised by rapid onset of erythema, warmth, and peau d'orange affecting ≥1/3 of the breast skin, often without a discrete mass. The pathological hallmark is:

• A Lymphovascular invasion in dermal lymphatics ✓
• B Central necrosis within a high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ
• C Osteoclast-like giant cells within the stroma
• D Signet-ring cell infiltration of the dermis

Explanation

Inflammatory breast cancer is defined clinically by rapid skin changes; histologically the pathological hallmark is tumour emboli in dermal lymphatics causing lymphatic obstruction, which produces the characteristic peau d'orange (skin oedema). Central necrosis is a feature of comedocarcinoma DCIS, not IBC. Osteoclast-like giant cells characterise a distinct rare breast tumour subtype. Signet-ring cell features are associated with lobular carcinoma but not specifically IBC.

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.