SDC1 and carcinoma: Relative to non-IBC, our data indicate a significantly higher expression of Syndecan-1 transcript levels (P < 0.01) (Fig. 1a), and higher positive staining of Syndecan-1 protein in tissues of IBC (P < 0.01) (Fig. 1b), and on carcinoma cells infiltrated into lymphatic vessels, a unique feature for IBC (Additional file 2: Figure S1).