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The World Health Organization reports that roughly 2.4 million new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year. That makes breast cancer the most common cancer in women across the globe.

There are various types of breast cancer, and some are more common than others. Inflammatory breast cancer diagnoses are rare, but the condition still merits the attention of those seeking to learn as much as possible about the disease.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. notes that inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) occurs when cancer cells infiltrate the skin and lymph vessels of the breast. According to Breastcancer.org, IBC often begins in the milk ducts, which are the tubes that carry milk from the lobules to the nipple. While that means IBC is an invasive ductal carcinoma, Breastcancer.org reports inflammatory breast cancer signs and symptoms are very different from other types of ductal carcinomas.

Many forms of breast cancer are characterized by the development of a lump in or near the breast that’s often the first sign of the disease. However, the foundation notes that this is not typical of IBC. IBC cells block lymph channels in the skin, which can make the breast appear red, swollen and inflamed.

A feeling of thickness or heaviness in the breast or visible swelling are common early signs of IBC, according to Breastcancer.org. The foundation notes symptoms begin to appear when the lymph vessels of the breast become blocked by cancer cells. Symptoms may include:

— Areas of skin discoloration that are pink, red or purple. A discolored area typically covers more than one-third of the breast.

— A persistent rash that looks like an insect bite or a bruise.

— Swelling or firmness that typically affects one breast.

— Itching, pain and/or burning in the breast. These symptoms are persistent, and one breast may feel warmer than the other.

— Skin may appear pitted like an orange peel.

— Changes in the nipple, including inversion, which occurs when a nipple turns inward. A nipple also may flatten or dimple.

— Lymph nodes near the collarbone or under arm become swollen.

The foundation notes that the rash associated with IBC may appear suddenly. Women may go to sleep at night without a rash but then awake in the morning with a breast that looks red, pink, purple or discolored. Some rashes will not go away, while some women experience a rash that comes and goes over time. But the rapid onset of symptoms is a hallmark of IBC, according to Breastcancer.org.

The cause of IBC remains a mystery and doctors are unsure if there are any unique risk factors for it.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that between 1 and 5% of all breast cancers are IBC. While age is often cited as a risk factor for breast cancer, IBC differs somewhat from other forms of the disease in that it is most common among women younger than 40. IBC also is more common among Black women and women who are overweight. But researchers remain uncertain why IBC tends to affect these groups more than others.

IBC is rare, but knowledge of the disease can help women recognize symptoms earlier, which can improve prognosis. More information about IBC is available at breastcancer.org.