Waiting on Punch Biopsy - Worried About IBC

angelica_schuyler

Storytime: I'm a 33-year-old Hodgkins lymphoma survivor at a high-risk of breast cancer due to mantle radiation. I get annual breast MRIs to monitor for BC. My last MRI at the end of January 2018 came back clean.

At the end of September 2018, I felt a lump in my left breast. Gyno thought it was hormonal or a cyst and, as protocol, sent me for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. My appointment was scheduled for two weeks later.

About five days before the scan, I noticed pink splotching/mottling on and around the lump site, taking up about 1/5 to 1/4 of my breast. This splotching/mottling fades when I'm exercising or laying down, and becomes darker, purplish, when sitting up. Aside from some slight discomfort under my left armpit, I have no other symptoms: no warmth, dimpling, itching, burning, swelling, nipple changes.

I mentioned the redness to the tech when getting my mammo and ultrasound. The tech shrugged it off because the scans looked fine. I called my gyno to mention the redness to her. She said it sounded like bruising or a vascular issue, to leave it be and come in if it didn't get better or got worse in two weeks.

Last Wednesday, I saw my dermatologist and pointed out the mottling to her. She, too, leaned toward a vascular issue due to the coldness of the skin on my left breast, the lack of other skin changes, and how the mottling varied from position to position. She offered me a return visit in a month to monitor or a punch biopsy that same day. Knowing I would be worried until I knew for sure, I took the biopsy. I sobbed, and dermo told me not to lose sleep over it, that she would be surprised if there were something bad but that surprises happen and we have to be vigilant.

It's been a week since my biopsy. My results aren't due back for another 3-7 days. I'm beside myself with worry, despite the fact that my dermo didn't seem alarmed. She cited my clean mammo/ultrasound, lack of other symptoms, and the way I can make the mottling change with position. Heck, she had to switch the biopsy location because the color of my skin changed in front of her eyes. I'm having a hard time believing her and am terrified that I'm going to find out that I'm dying of IBC.

I don't have kids yet. I was planning on marrying my fiancé next November. I feel like my whole life is on hold while I wait for results. Has anyone else had these symptoms? What was your outcome? Does anyone have any advice?

Thank you...

KBeee

IBC does not coem and fade. It typically comes, and worsens, so there is an extremely high probability that this is something other than IBC. I do know it's hard not to worry, so try to stay distracted.

Moderators

angelica_schuyler, great advice from KBee! The waiting for results is really difficult. Try as best you can to distract yourself and take one day at a time. We're all here for you.

angelica_schuyler

Thank you all for responding. I've been trying to stay busy (or asleep) but it's hard to focus when you're wondering about your future. I'm about halfway out of my mind worried about these blotches, hoping they'll fade again during my evening nap, and praying that the results come soon, with good news. I just can't imagine what else this could be.

angelica_schuyler

Happy to report that the punch biopsy came back benign, but wondering if I should have more testing done. The pain/heaviness/discomfort under my left armpit is unnerving. I also have been having night sweats and armpit odor on the affected side, which some folks on the board had as symptoms of cancer. I also read on here that IBC can be extremely hard to diagnose. I'm concerned that perhaps multiple punch biopsies should have been done to test a wider area, or that should have another ultrasound or an MRI to specficially look for IBC. My symptoms haven't changed. Should I be satisified with my results or push for more certainty? Thanks for reading and any help you can provide.

LoriCA

angelica, a few things that should help ease your mind about IBC - the fact that your skin on that breast is cold because IBC typically radiates heat. Also the fact that the mottling comes and go and changes location. In my experience, the redness only spreads and gets worse, often quite fast. It doesn't come and go. Also the fact that your sonogram didn't show the typical thickening, and that IBC doesn't typically present as a lump.

With two doctors leaning toward a vascular issue I'd be inclined to investigate in that direction. All that being said and since you asked, my IBC symptoms were unmistakable and they did three punch biopsies to make sure they didn't miss it.

I wish you the best of luck in finding out what is causing your symptoms. Although I'm not a doctor I honestly believe you can put IBC out of your mind unless your symptoms get drastically worse in a short period of time.

Arianalr93_

Hello, wanted to see if anyone has dealt with this . I was diagnosed with IDC last September. estrogen positive and Her2 positive. It was stage 1 with no lymph nodes involved (removed 5) . I had a double mestectomy with the right breast having no cancer . Undergone chemo, herceptin and now taking tomoxifen. I had my reconstruction completed the beginning of September. About two weeks ago I noticed an area on the bottom of of right breast That was thickened orange peeled appearanceand firm. It measures about 1 1/2 inches in length. What are the chances it’s a new cancer ?