Inflammatory breast cancer: Still a diagnostic dilemma

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rapidly progressive disease associated with high mortality in developing countries. The patients are managed for mastitis’s first and IBC becomes a diagnosis of exclusion after failed response to appropriate antibiotic therapy. This study was aimed at evaluating the outcome of management of IBC in North central Nigeria. Patients and method: This was a prospective analysis of consecutive patients presenting with breast cancer at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University teaching hospital Bauchi (ATBUTH) from January 2011 to December 2012. Results: A total of 52 breast cancers were managed, mean age was 31+/- 2years with an age range of 29 -33 years. There were 51 females and 1male (f: m = 51:1). IBC accounted for 9(17.3 %) of the breast cancers. Conclusion: IBC is frequently misdiagnosed as mastitis for various reasons and a high index of suspicion is required to clinch the diagnosis.