Do these sound like IBC symptoms?

Mead31

Hi everyone, I'm 31 years old, new to the board and am currently undergoing some initial tests for some lumpiness I discovered in my left breast a couple of weeks ago. I had a diagnostic mammo with ultrasound last week, and the radiologist recommended further testing with an MRI, because "a vague area of distortion" appared only in one mammogram view - nothing showed up on u/s or on any of the many other mammogram views they took. I have the MRI appt. in a couple of weeks.

Ever since I found the lump, though, I've been periodically feeling a burning sensation from deep in my breast - it's not actually sore to the touch on the outside, it's more like an internal stinging. I can't really describe it very well. Sometimes it seems to radiate to my arm, sometimes it just sort of pulses in my breast.

I also remembered recently that about a week before I found the lump, I had a very itchy spot on my chest, a few inches below my breast. I thought it was a bug bite or something, and it went away, except for a small pink spot that still remains. While it was more on my stomach/ribcage and not on my actual breast, I'm concerned since it was in the general vicinity.

Should I be concerned about IBC? The radiologist's report noted no thickening, nipple retraction or enlarged lymph nodes. My breast doesn't appear discolored or red or swollen, and my breast itself is not itchy. I'm mainly concerned because of the deep-inside burning sensation and the earlier itchy spot on my stomach below my breast.  

I'd really appreciate any advice anyone might be willing to share. I'm very worried about the lump and about all of these extra symptoms.

Thanks.

Caseysmom

Mead31:

In my opinion it does not sound like IBC however everyone has different symptoms.  I had none of the symptoms that are listed.  The spot on my breast  looked like dermatitis I had no other symptoms.   I had a mammogram done which came back negative I was also given a referral to a breast surgeon.  He did not think it was cancer however he would not know until I had a biopsy done.  A biopsy is the only way to get a correct dx of IBC.  

You are doing the correct thing about staying on top of this for IBC is an aggressive type of bc.  I would suggest that you try to move your MRI appointment up. 

Don't stop questing your doctors until you have an answer you are satisfied with.

Laura

Mead31

Thanks, Laura. My radiologist recommended that I do the MRI at a "neutral" point in my cycle so as to reduce the likelihood of a false-positive result. So the earliest I can do it is on Nov. 9. That feels very far away, and the pain in my breast is increasing. (I'm sure my stress is not helping this pain.) I'm wondering if I should speak with my dr. or a breast surgeon on the meantime - it's really very scary not knowing what's going on and having such strange symptoms. Did you have any pain at all?

All the best to you, and thanks for responding!

Faith316

It doesn't sound like IBC to me either, but if it doesn't go away, insist that they do a punch biopsy of it.  If the pain is increasing, I would see your doctor.  Better safe than sorry.

Caseysmom

Mead31:

No I did not have any pain prior to being dx or going thru treatment.  I would talk to your pcp and also get an opinion from a breast surgeon.  If you are not satisfied with your doctors answers I would then get a 2nd or 3rd opinion if necessary.  There are so many doctors out there that have never heard of IBC  or even seen it in their whole career. 

Good luck on Nov. 9th praying that you get a clean bill of health. 

Keep us posted.

Hugs

Laura

Mead31

Thanks, Laura, I really appreciate your support. Can I bug you with just one more follow-up question? Have you ever heard of anyone with IBC having an itchy spot anywhere other than on the breast? For some reason I'm still a little worried about the bug bite thing that showed up on my stomach/rib cage a few weeks ago. It was really itchy, but it went away after several days - although a small gray/pink spot is still there. It's several inches below my breast. I didn't think about it at all at the time but now I'm wondering. I'd appreciate your thoughts. I will keep you in my thoughts as well!

Caseysmom

Mead31:

You are not bugging me or anyone else by asking questions please ask away.  The more information you can get will help you with what questions to ask your doctors.   

I would have that spot checked out as well you just never know.  So much more research needs to be done and a data base  for reporting other symptoms of IBC.  Even beinging 4 years out of treatment I still get very scared when things just pop up from no were.  I give it a few days if it does not go away I call and get in with either my pcp or onc. 

Hugs

Laura  

Momcat1962

I am a bit scared. I have ahd so many lumps and bumps, removed and a couple biopsied over the last 16-17 yrs or so. I had a core needle biopsy on Nov. 2. Here, 3 weeks later, I have a hard lumpy area...large under my nipple. It is painful, I have a low-grade fever, a bit achey. The breast area is warmer than the other breast, and now I have a rash that ithces slightly with additional bruising over the lump. My Dr (RAD) was concerned, and scheduled me right away for tomorrow morning, and I just called this afternoon. He t6hink there may be "something we missed" or says could be an abcess, but I didn't have the rash until an hour or so ago. Very weird. (please, excuse my typos...just not feeling too well tonight.)

Caseysmom

momcat1962:

It is hard to say what is or is not symptoms of IBC for everyone has different symptoms I did not have any of the symptoms that are listed for IBC.   The only way to find out is by a biopsy.  I'm glad to see that you are getting into see your doc tomorrow.  Let him know about your fear of IBC the sooner you know what you are dealing with the sooner you can get it treated. 

Keeping my fingers crossed that this is not IBC.  Good Luck tomorrow please keep us posted.

Very Big Hugs

Laura

leisaparis

Hi momcat, These are all the symptoms I had when I was first dx with IBC ( now refered to as IDC/inflamitory-fast growing ), red with heat present, dimpling ( looked like an orange peel ),no lumps but a hard mass right behind the nipple, a stabbing pain that went from my nipple straight back through to my chest ( like someone just stabbed me with a knife, this was not continuous, but it happened several times a day ),under arm pain ( slightly swollen, for @ a week ), Itching, nipple retraction, weight gain in the breast ( right side-only ). There is no one in my family who has had any kind of cancer - no family history what so ever. I guess I'm the Lucky 1. Whoo Hoo, I could have done without it. My life sucks. Never fails, everytime I get my head above water, something comes along and shoves me back down. Sorry, needed a pitty party for a minute.

10/07/09 Dx.IDC/Inflamitory ER-/PR- , HER2+, Stage IIIb, Grade 3, BRACA1-/BRACA2-

g94u67

I echo you LP!  I am a TN and went through 8 rounds of AC/T found out I was BRAC1+ 5 days after my lumpetomy. How's that for great luck? Was set to have Dbl MSX but tried to wait until school was over. (I just returned back to work this past Feb.) But IBC beat me to it. My rash started out so suttle then quickly grew and became painful.  I've just completed 4 rounds of Ixempra and Xoleda. Just had my PET and now am waiting the dreaded results...Now I'm set to have my Dbl MSX in a few weeks. This Rt. Breast is killing me. So heavy.  When I think back to how I could have prevented what I'm going through now it kills me but I can 't go back.

Mead & MomCat: It doesn't sound like IBC but Laura is right. Get a 2nd opinion! My mammo came out normal too. Onc. wasn't sure and surgeon identified it right away!

Good Luck!

Prayers & Hugs all,

Jeannine

leisaparis

I had 3 mamograms in 2 weeks, a cat scan & a necular full body scan. Nothing showed up. The only thing that showed I had IBC was the biopsy. Thank God my dr.'s did a lymph node & skin biopsy or they wouldn't have caught it in time.