What is the first treatment for inflammatory breast cancer?

Inflammatory breast cancer can involve cancer cells in breast skin and lymph channels, so treatment often begins throughout the body rather than with an operation alone. Chemotherapy before surgery is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy. It is used to treat known cancer and to show how the tumour responds before the surgical plan is completed.

The exact medicines depend on biopsy results, including hormone receptors and HER2 status, along with scans and general health. After this first phase, a mastectomy may be recommended, followed by radiotherapy to treat the breast area and nearby lymph-node regions when appropriate.

Before treatment starts, ask which biopsy findings shaped the drug plan and whether a port will be useful for repeated infusions. Keep a record of fever, new symptoms, medicines, and appointments. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can affect blood counts, appetite, hair, and energy, so ask about infection precautions and practical support.

Discuss the order and purpose of each stage with the breast team. The pages on [Chemotherapy Before Surgery](/treatments/systemic-therapy/neoadjuvant-chemotherapy/) and [Mastectomy](/treatments/surgical-oncology/mastectomy/) explain the roles of these treatments.

During chemotherapy, call the treatment centre urgently for a fever, chills, sudden breathlessness, chest pain, uncontrolled vomiting, confusion, or bleeding that does not stop. Rapidly increasing breast redness or swelling also needs prompt assessment, especially before treatment has begun.

What do my biopsy and scan results show? Which medicines will I receive before surgery? How will response be assessed? When is surgery expected? What symptoms require an urgent call? Will radiotherapy follow the operation?