inflammatory carcinoma of the breast, skin

INFLAMMATORY CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST, SKIN SPECIMEN

This patient has erythema and edema of the skin of the breast, upper abdomen, and ipsilateral axilla. The biopsy demonstrates intravascular carcinoma, probably in a lymphatic vessel.

Inflammatory carcinoma of the breast is a clinicopathologic entity that had formerly been associated with a hopeless prognosis. High energy radiation combined with chemotherapy now carries about a 30% five year survival.

The demonstration of tumor cells in cutaneous lymphatics in the absence of the clinical features of this problem does not constitute inflammatory carcinoma of the breast. Such cases have been designated as 'occult inflammatory carcinoma of the breast'. The prognosis still is not very good.

Low power view. Clusters of tumor cells are found in dilated vessels, probably lymphatics. The demonstration of such involvement may require the examination of multiple sections.

High power view of above.

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	Low power view. Clusters of tumor cells are found in dilated vessels, probably lymphatics. The demonstration of such involvement may require the examination of multiple sections.
	High power view of above.