Ultrasound

Moose16

Hi,

So I have been a melanoma survivor many times over but now I might be dealing with a new beast. Within the past three days I have had severe right breast pain, major swelling, my breast became hard and half my breast has turned bright red. Went to the doctor and she ordered a mammogram and an ultrasound which I did today. It came back with two cysts 7 and 15 mm with debris in both. She said my wbc was slightly elevated and put me on an antibiotic. The redness is still spreading. She doesn't think I have IBC but is concerned about the way my breast looks. Both ladies today at the screening office said they haven't seen anything like this. Ugh. Thoughts?

Thank you,

April

Lisey

I'm sorry you are dealing with this April. I too am a melanoma survivor. I can't offer you any suggestions as I didn't get IBC, but I wish you the best as you figure out what is going on.

Moose16

Thank you for your thoughts!

sbelizabeth

Hi, Moose. Someone will come along soon with more suggestions, but my own opinion is that you should make an appointment with a specialist, and do it soon, as in PRONTO. A breast surgeon can do a skin punch biopsy to check for cancer in the skin of the breast. IBC can be sneaky and "hide" from ultrasound and mammograms because it's not a lump-like tumor, and sometimes diagnosing IBC can be difficult.

IBC can grow very quickly. For your own health and peace of mind, get to the bottom of this.

Moose16

what type of specialists? I see my regular oncologist tomorrow. The regular doctor said they were ordering a biopsy ASAP.

Moose16

what type of specialists? I see my regular oncologist tomorrow. The regular doctor said they were ordering a biopsy ASAP.

sbelizabeth

Is your "regular doctor" your oncologist? If he/she has limited experience with breast cancer you might ask for a referral to a oncologic breast surgeon. That being said, if your oncologist is ordering a skin punch biopsy ASAP, that's what the breast surgeon should be doing, so that's good. I'm sorry you're going through this. Scary stuff. Gentle hugs...

Moose16

Thank you for this information!! So should be having a punch biopsy. That will show the top layer of skin and what is right underneath?

sbelizabeth

Yes, the skin punch biopsy can reveal breast cancer cells in the skin's lymphatic system. It's the "clogging up" of the skin lymph channels that causes the skin effects of IBC. The skin lymph channels are pretty close to the surface, so the biopsy is not very deep.

Good luck, and please keep us in the loop on how you're doing.

Moose16

okay......that makes sense.

sbelizabeth

Moose, how are you doing? Did the biopsy go forward on Monday, or has your doctor determined it's not IBC?