Normal Mammo...should i persist on more tests?

mamabearof3

sbelizabeth

Mammabear, the picture here could have been a picture of my breast just before I was diagnosed.  My mammogram, however, showed a lump beneath the red spot. 

The redness and slight orange-peel texture ("peau d'orange") are concerning to me.  I would get an appointment with a breast surgeon right now, make sure he/she has heard of inflammatory breast cancer, and insist on a skin-punch biopsy.  Please understand I don't want to scare you or diagnose you (!) but this bears more investigating.  A skin punch biopsy is no big deal, and it could save your life.

In my case, the red spot was where the lymphatics of my skin had been invaded with the cancer directly beneath it.  It was so early it couldn't be diagnosed as IBC, and the mammogram didn't demonstrate any typical skin thickening commonly associated with IBC, but had I waited...well, I'm glad I didn't.

Blessings and good thoughts heading your way.  

mamabearof3

thank you so much. I had made an appointment with a dermatologist for Friday but I will make sure I look into a breast surgeon in my area.

I hope you are doing well now!!

sbelizabeth

Keep your appointment with your derm, and come prepared to explain to him/her what IBC is and how it presents.  The derm can do a skin punch biopsy as well as a surgeon.  Just DON'T be put off, don't let them re-schedule you in a month for your biopsy, and don't let anybody talk you out of it. 

I'm doing fine now, thanks.  Two years past diagnosis, one year past active treatment, and reconstructed breasts in April. 

sbelizabeth

Hey, mamabear, let us know how your appointment went with your derm tomorrow. Do whatever it takes to get him/her to biopsy the skin of your red spot. The only thing you have to lose is a small chunk of skin, and there is potential for a lot of gain if this is IBC and you catch it early, early.

mrsnjband

My skin punch biopsy was negative & was not located anywhere near my rash. So even if it is negative, please go see a breast specialist. It took a breast MRI to find my IBC which a second biopsy to confirm it. NJ

flat13good

Yes go see a Breast Surgeon right away. I had a clear Mammogram in 2010 and I found my swollen Lymph node in Sept 2011.  I had a new Mammogram and they told me to get a biopsy right away. My regular doctor told me to take an antibiotic it was just an infection. wrong !!! I went to the surgeon instead and he found a 4.8 cm lobular tumor with the MRI and he also told me that the lymph nodes were on my 2010 mammogram but was not reported. So mistakes are made.  I'm doing great now. I had chemo, a double mastectomy May 2012 and radiation. I'm getting stronger all the time.  But I am having my reconstruction removed. It is to uncomfortable and not for me so I'm joining the flat sister club at 55.  Good Luck on your journey

sbelizabeth

Mamabear, how are you doing? How did the derm visit go today? Praying for you!

alicki

hello,

MRSJn comment is important. You really need both to exclude IBC and Even then???

I have Nothing on biopsies (4), Nothing on MRI (3) aside thickening at site of biopsy but my left axilla is developing fatty replaced lymph nodes which I Had read by THREE different and expert radiologists and they tell me not to worry because the cortex is ok. Just wondering if they checked the cortex of each one?!

Well good luck, I have a check up in late nov and dec now. Nothing else they can do, can't treat something you can't find, even of breast slighty enlarged. They think I had a episode of mastitis with lypmhangitis that clogged up my duts. (Swiss do not give antibiotics!!)

Let us know how you get on,

Lara