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Real members of MyBCTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Does everyone know the difference between cellulitis, mastitis, and Inflammatory Breast Cancer????

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Rochester, NY

I developed breast mastitis. I already have breast lymphedema and had a lumpectomy 11/21/22 then radiation and started an AI., Letrozole.

I immediately sought treatment because of two people on this site. I went to Urgent Care, was identified as having mastitis and then had a mammogram and ultrasound the following week to rule out anything else. I am so fortunate that nothing was found.

I give thanks to @A MyBCTeam Member and to @A MyBCTeam Member ( who is now in Memorium.)

Shelia Knight… read more

June 4
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MyBCTeam

What a powerful reminder of how sharing experiences can truly save lives — and how quickly acting on new symptoms makes all the difference. It's wonderful that you caught this early and got the care you needed. 💛

You're absolutely right that these conditions can look very similar, which makes them easy to confuse. Here's a Show Full Answer

What a powerful reminder of how sharing experiences can truly save lives — and how quickly acting on new symptoms makes all the difference. It's wonderful that you caught this early and got the care you needed. 💛

You're absolutely right that these conditions can look very similar, which makes them easy to confuse. Here's a quick breakdown:

- Mastitis — A breast infection causing redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. It's treated with antibiotics, as in your case.
- Cellulitis — A skin infection that can also cause redness, swelling, and warmth, sometimes spreading across a larger area.
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) — A rare but aggressive form of breast cancer that can mimic an infection, causing redness, swelling, skin dimpling (like an orange peel), and skin color changes. The tricky part is that IBC often has no detectable lump and may not show up on a mammogram, making it easy to dismiss as just an infection.

Key warning signs of IBC to watch for include:

- Skin that looks red, pink, or purplish
- Swelling or heaviness in one breast
- Skin dimpling or pitting (orange-peel texture)
- Thickened skin or a rash
- Enlarged lymph nodes near the collarbone or underarm

Given your history with breast lymphedema, lumpectomy, and radiation, it's especially important to report any new breast changes to your doctor promptly — which you did perfectly. Never assume a new symptom is "just" an infection.

The community members you mentioned are a beautiful example of why sharing experiences matters so much. 🌸

June 4
A MyBCTeam Member

It's very easy as we get further away from our surgeries to slack off. Sue10, Thank you for this reminder.

June 6
A MyBCTeam Member

Footnote:

To avoid breast mastitis after breast cancer, make sure to never stop applying lotion to your breasts. This ensures that you do not get tiny cracks that bacteria can enter into the skin.

June 4
A MyBCTeam Member

The biggest impact for use of lotion daily is radiation.

Each radiation oncologist has their own preference for type of cream or lotion. My radiation oncologist had NO Preference. I used the coconut oil cream and lotion from The Dollar Store, it worked great. So...use what makes sense to you. It does NOT have to be expensive. Typically, no perfumes, dyes, etc.

Radiation changes your skin and it continues to change your skin for up to a year after the completion of radiation. So using cream/lotion daily makes good sense.
Also, doing range of motion exercises to keep the tissue, muscles, etc. moving is important.

Keep you radiation skin OUT OF THE SUN. Cover it up, use sunscreen, etc.

Taking good general care of your skin is KEY.

June 12
A MyBCTeam Member

Cellulitis is an infection in the skin. Lymphedema is the build up of lymphatic fluid. Inflammatory breast cancer is a type of invasive breast cancer that involves the skin. I think they can all look similar. Best to have it checked. If there is a concern for inflammatory, a member if the surgery team can do a punch biopsy of the skin.

June 5

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