Inflammatory breast cancer: current understanding

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Inflammatory breast cancer is a highly aggressive variant of locally advanced breast cancer that carries a significantly worse prognosis. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent advances in the molecular modus operandi of this particular form of breast cancer. RECENT FINDINGS: Studies on tumor cell emboli, E-cadherin, chemokine receptors, steroid hormone receptor, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and gene expression all suggest significant differences with noninflammatory breast cancer and are clearly in line with a different pathogenesis of the condition. SUMMARY: This comprehensive review will hopefully allow for better treatment modalities with targeted approaches as suggested by the early data on anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment in inflammatory breast cancer.