Please advice.. worried I have IBC symptoms

Worried_mommy

Hi, i am 37 years old and have 2 young children. I noticed a lump under the Areola of my breast one month ago. It is protruding and clearly visible. The skin outside is blackish. It itches, is sensitive and hurts when pressed. I did mammogram and ultrasound today. My doctor says that it's in the upper layer of the skin and not inside the breast tissue. My doctor and the doctor at the radiology told me they feels it's infection. They told me to do warm compressions. I told my doctor I feel I have the symptoms of IBC. He said if it doesn't go away in 2 weeks he will forward me to a breast surgeon. Should I push to be seen by surgeon early ? Can IBC go undetected in mammogram and ultrasound? From what I have read it can and punch biopsy is only way to detect it. I don’t understand why is my doctor making me wait.

LoriCA

Worried mommy based on the info in your first post none of the symptoms you mention sound like IBC. You had stated that you first noted lumpiness 10 months ago, that you noticed changes in shape and varying softness/hardness of the lump, and that your swelling and pain is worst right before your period and gets better after, none of which would be suspicious for IBC. IBC symptoms do not come and go, they only get worse very quickly. IBC also doesn't typically form a lump (although it can and often does if there is a recurrence), that is why it is so hard to detect. Yes, a punch biopsy is the only real way to confirm, but if you had undiagnosed IBC for ten months you would be extremely sick (if not dead). When they say it spreads fast, it gets worse every week or even daily. Typical IBC presentation would be the breast radiating heat (not just a little warmer), significant swelling of the entire breast, peau d'orange (orange peel) appearance to the skin, often a red flaky "rash", and often accompanied by swollen lymph nodes under the arm of the affected breast and above the collarbone. You don't have any of those symptoms so I don't think you need to worry about IBC.

I don't have a suggestion for what it might be other than possibly an infected pore/hair follicle that would cause a noticeable lump.Perhaps someone will come along who is more knowledgeable about skin conditions, but I would follow your doctor's advice about using the warm compresses and follow up with him 2 weeks if it doesn't get better. I wish you the best of luck in finding out what is causing your symptoms.

Worried_mommy

Thank you for your reply. I didn't think that it was the same lump I was seeing since 10 months. What I saw 10 months back was dense breast tissue. This time it is a noticeable lump that appeared 5 weeks back. I started warm compress today. With the anxiety I have had over past few days, I can't think straight. Thank you.