Biopsy when the breast is swollen?

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loveisall
loveisall Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)

Is it possible a to make a biopsy when the breast is swollen? My mum presents symptoms of IBC and the doctor requested an MRI instead of a biopsy. He said a biopsy is not recommended when the breast and skin is swollen. Is this true? What part of the breast is it recommended for a biopsy in this case?

Thanks.

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  • ibcmets
    ibcmets Member Posts: 4,286
    edited March 2013

    I thought a biopsy is required after mamo & ultrasound.  They need to get a pathology of the tissue along with hormonal status.

    Terri

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  • loveisall
    loveisall Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2013

    Thanks for your response. I just hope the MRI is useful and shows if there is anything bad.

    I still wonder if doctors can do biopsy while the skin is irritated. I would suppose that's what they do to rule out IBC.

    Thanks again.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited March 2013

    Different DRs have different ideas.  Can only say what I was told by my Drs - the radiologist who did biopsy, Surgeon, Chemo Dr and Rads Dr - it takes a biopsy to diagnose IBC (or any cancer).  A biopsy can be done at any time to rule in or rule out many things - not only cancer but the type of infection that might be going on.   

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