IBC Question

ksj29

I am not here because I have been dx with IBC and I am hoping everday that what I have is not IBC.  But I thought that this would be the place to come since my drs are not seeming to think that I have a problem.  Any way let me introduce myself my name is Kim and I am 29.  almost two months ago I noticed that my left breast was swollen with a stabbing pain in my nipple.  I have been to three drs.  Have had a mammo and us both neg, finally scheduled for an mri at end of month.  Anyway here are a few questions that I have.  Does IBC always present with the inflammation?  I have swelling, and pain and a burning feeling but my breast is not red or hot.  My next question, about a week after my breast swelled my left supraclavicular lymph node becam swollen, then about a week ago my left posterior cervical lymph node is swollen, and now I think that my right posterior cervical lymph node is swollen (cant tell if it is normally bigger or if it is actually swollen).  I do not have any lymph nodes in my armpit that are swollen.  Is it possible that my neck is from something else?  I have had a CBC and my WBC was well within normal.  I just hate to wait 3 more weeks for the mri, if this is something that needs to be addressed sooner.  Has anyone ever had no inflammation with IBC, and should I be pressing to have the mri sooner?  Any input would be helpful, and I am sorry to infiltrate your board with my question.  Just need experienced input.

ibcspouse

ksj29

Please you never have to be sorry to seek advise about something so serious.  It does seem that IBC does present differently in different people,  Yes there can be IBC without inflammation.  My wife  had pain, but not stabbing in nipple, her pain was more to the side and a hard pain but not stabbing.  She had swollen breast, but no redness The breast was much more firm than the other when she had a punch biopsy done that if read right, showed the tumor in the skin.  It was not until 4 months later that the breast turned red, nipple inverted, and rash appeared.    So even though it posible, remember that most of the time its not.  I hope that is the case with you.  Her superclav node is involved, but is two small to feel, had to have US guided FNA to check.

Other things to do, ask if mamo or US showed thicker skin than right breast, or if it was more dense compared to other.  What is the diff in mam or US compared to right in any aspect to left breast.  Push  for a sooner MRI  three weeks is to long to wait.  You can ask for ca's to be done.

many of the ladies know much more  it just takes a little while for them to find you.  Keep checking back

good luck, and ask anything and everything 

mrs_X_Sunneedazee

Hi Kim,

I think it is great that you are being proactive with your health and seeking answers.  That is what finally saved my life.  

I am not an expert on IBC, but I will try to answer your questions.

My breast initially was red, hot and swollen.  It only stayed that way for a month or so.  Then it was just hard and swollen, and the skin was discolored.  It was a mottled pinkish purple color.  Here is a page that has pictures of what inflammatory breast cancer looks like:  mine initially looked most like the first picture.

http://www.ibcsupport.org/pictures/vsc.html 

When they did your breast ultrasound, did they ultrasound your lymph nodes?  In my case they were able to see abnormal lymph nodes that looked cancerous.  

Other cancers, I think IDC can cause a swollen breast without inflammation, I do believe.  Maybe you could read on that thread?

I would try to call the radiology department yourself, and express your concerns, and see if they could move your appointment up sooner.

I am so sorry that you have to worry about this, and I hope you can find the answers you seek.  Please keep us posted, and if you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!!!!!!! 

ksj29

Thany you for your responses.  I am going to read up on IDC, thank you very much.  I will keep you all posted, and hopefully I wont have to come back for support. 

Anonymous

Just a note, IBC will not show on mammo or ultrasound most of the time since this cancer grows in 'sheets' and is not your normal tumor type of breast cancer.