How many with IDC then got IBC shortly afterwards?

Pennythoughts

I may be premature here, but I am freaking out just the same.  I was diagnosed with IDC in September 2010 and just finished rads on February 2, 2011, after two surgeries, a lumpectomy and re-excision.  Started Tamoxifen on Dec. 23/10. 

Throughout the whole journey all my med practitioners treated my BC like it was no big deal.  Small tumour, early detection, etc.  They said I would be fine. I felt badly about how much the diagnosis affected me mentally and emotionally (and still is!!) because of how they seemed to minimize my BC.

On Feb. 21, I ended up in ER with a 10 cm ovarian cyst.  Consensus between my oncologist and gynecologist now is to at least remove the ovaries and cyst, and probably do a hysterectomy to be done with it.  So now I am facing that surgery, which I hope will not be a big deal.  They will biopsy the cyst to rule out ovarian cancer.  I'm also now getting a colonscopy because the same CT scan showed something in my colon.  Once again, no one is very alarmed except for me.  Since being diagnosed with BC, I can't seem to keep the fear at bay.  Every time I get an ache or pain, I get really, really scared.

For the last two weeks, my underarm and breast (BC side) has been extremely itchy, and lots of pains . . . sometimes shooting like a knife, and sometimes just a constant dull ache.  I wrote it off as post-rads and just kept applying my rad cream.  Yesterday, my breast became outright sore.  Painful to wear a bra because of the pressure it was putting on my nipple.  When I finally took a look at it, the whole bottom side of my breast is red, swollen, and hot to touch.  In fact the entire breast is hot to touch, whereas the other one definitely is not.  I have a ridge on the bottom of my areola which I am sure was not there before.  I cannot touch the bottom half of the areola or the bottom half of my breast because it hurts so bad.  But when I do, the texture is kind of hard, not like normal breast tissue.  But it is not like a lump, it is way more spread out than that.  My nipple is not inverted, but then since my IDC surgery, my nipple on that breast is constantly in an erect position, even though it's not hard.  It just sticks out constantly, whereas before it would not unless I was cold or aroused.

On top of that, the axilla area that was radiated hurts like crazy sometimes, and then not.  Off and on like that, day in and day out.

Considering that I've just been treated for IDC, am I being hysterical to insist on a biopsy for IBC?  That's kind of how I feel, like they won't take me seriously because they know I'm paranoid and scared since the first cancer diagnosis.  I'm afraid of being mis-diagnosed or having a lot of time wasted fiddling around exploring other things.

barbe1958

Check out lymphedema before considering more cancer. LE does hurt. Or, check mastitis. Do you have a fever? Is the red area spreading? I'd see a doctor no matter which way it goes but let him come to the conclusion.  Who needs this after all you've been through, eh?

wonderfullymade

pennythoughts,

Honestly,

I am just a scared 36 year old waiting for her biopsy results here, but I do have a ton of first hand knowlege regarding a patient's insight regarding their own health especially when it comes to cancer. I took care of my mom, dad, and gma as they suffered with breast and pancreatic cancers over several years and they knew when their cancers returned! I believe we all know our bodies. I believe that God created us in His image and we are all wonderfully made and when He made us he gave us keen insight as well. You know your fears and even if you are way off base, I feel, especially after all that you have already endured deserve to have your fears put to rest by exploring your symptoms. Perhaps you have developed an infection or lymphodema, or maybe it is a reoccurance of ibc, but you will not know unless you get it checked out! I would request an mri, the a biopsy! I will keep you in my prayers that you get answers and that God will carry you through this!

anonymice

Your IBC symptoms of skin thickening sound exactly like mine.  I have IBC.  Insist, scream, yell, and demand immediate biopsy.  That's what I did, and every knowledgeable healthcare practitioner has told me what I did was exactly right, and has possibly saved my life although that remains to be seen...I was diagnosed at stage 3 rather than 4, anyway.  You can absolutely develop IBC WHILE getting rads.   

I'm sorry what I have to say isn't comforting but as you may know, IBC can advance in a week.  However, truly, it probably is an infection, and the clinical difference can't be determined without biopsy.   

TEK2009

Hi originally I had Triple neg BC had a lumpectomy, just had a recurrence both in lymph nodes in neck and a rash on the original breast, biopsy shows cancer but they are still calling it IDC and not IBC, but I can see it spreading by the week. Anyone else heard of this?

Thanks