Diagnosis
The only reliable method of diagnosis is biopsy. Mammography, MRI or ultrasound often show suspicious signs; however in a significant proportion of cases they would miss a diagnosis.
Clinical presentation is typical only in 50-75% of cases; and many other conditions such as mastitis or even heart insufficiency can mimic the typical symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
Temporary regression or fluctuation of symptoms, spontaneous or in response to conventional treatment or hormonal events should not be considered of any significance in diagnosis. Inflammatory breast cancer is known to respond to antibiotics and progesterone, and reaction to other medications or hormones cannot be excluded.
Read more about this topic: Inflammatory Breast Cancer