Something is wrong
Hi, I am 35 years old. Last year I found a lump in my left breast, had an us and was told that it was probably a cyst. My dr checked later that year, no lump found. Now, about 4 weeks ago my left breast started itching and then I noticed it grew about 2 cup sizes bigger than my right and I found a lump, about the same place as the last one. ( I have implants and as crazy as this may sound, they were perfectly symetrical after my surgery) I thought maybe it had to do with my period so I waited a couple weeks and when it didn't change I went to my dr.
She sent me to a breast specialist who did not feel the lump, but said that she trusted that I knew my body better than anyone and ordered a mammo and us. Mammo came out clear, but the radiologist found the mass I was feeling and ordered a biopsy. He did not do a full ultrasound check of my entire breast, he only did the area that I felt the lump in. I received my report and I was a bi-rad 4. My implants are intact. I had a core biopsy on the lump Monday(which actually I wasn't worried about because it was in about the same place as the cyst before and really I assume that it was still the same thing)
Biopsy Negative, which is great, but doesn't explain the swelling in my breast and now swollen lymph nodes under my arm and in my neck (same side as my swollen breast.) both areas are sore. My nipple looks different almost like it is pointing out to the side instead of front and more puffy, the areola appears to have grown and gotten darker, but it still gets erect so I am not sure if that is a problem or not. My breast is pink, like a light sunburn, the skin on my bruise from the biopsy looks pitted, but not anywhere else. And most of the time I feel as though I am going crazy, that these pains and symptoms are more mental than physical. I am driving myself crazy. I started antibiotics (No Change Yet) and go back to the breast specialist on Monday. If it is not better by then what do you suggest??
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bump
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If the anitibiotics don't work, You'll need full ultrasound of the breast and another biopsy. I had to wait 3 weeks before my mammo & ultrasound and they knew right away.
Terri
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Mrs. Little,
I agree with the poster Ibcmets, if the antibiotics don't get that swelling down, you'll need new tests. Even tho the lump tested negative, let us say you have at least the clinical presentation of perhaps inflammatory breast cancer, since I am familiar with that one. That is when the skin and many layers beneath it are cancerous, rather than showing up as a lump. According to our website here, under the menu across the very top "Symptoms and Diagnosis" for the inflammatory kind, the doc can do a "skin punch" type biopsy, where he gets a skin sample on the surface. Sometimes testing of all sorts will not reveal IBC, but that skin punch will. I am talking about inflammatory breast cancer or IBC, but could be you have Paget's disease, which I don't know as much about, but you can read about it in the same place as IBC, or could just be that benign lump is rather too large and causing symptoms and may need removing.
In any case, it does sound to me a lot like you are presenting with aspects of IBC, in which case you are supposed to be treated for it as tho it were. But now, could be you need an expert on IBC to check you out for this, which it sounds like your doc is an expert but perhaps not in IBC. See, my doc, he is with a cancer clinic, and he could tell just by observing my breasts and my history that the one most definitely presented as IBC, and while I also had three cancerous ductal carcinomas in there that they discovered with mammo, ultrasound, and biopsy, and so mine is called IDC, my doc treated me as tho I also had IBC.
Anyhow, I had very similar symptoms as you: My breast was quite swollen, quite painful, and my skin was hardened on the end... this was compared to my other one which is normal, and that's what took me to a woman's doc office, which he then sent me to the cancer clinic in my area. So, from what you say, I'm a little worried. I mean, could simply be that the new benign growth is causing your symptoms, becuz sometimes tissue that is significantly displaced by even a benign growth might hurt a lot.
So, let's say if they do this website's recommended skin-only biopsy, and nothing turns up, then if I were you, I'd consider getting that benign growth OUTTA there. It is quite possible the pain and lymph situation is from the benigh growth... and with the lymphs, your body is trying to rid itself of that thing, I suppose, and also the growth is pushing on delicate tissues that makes it hurt, so might help to get that lump out of there. I've just heard too many stories of women who are told about cysts, especially the ovarian kind, "Well, we'll just keep an eye on it," and yet those things grow to real big and can be very uncomfortable, to where some women can barely walk. In addition, if tests don't show anything, you could also get a second opinion!
So, that's my two-fold advice on your situation. Skin biopsy and perhaps remove the growth even if it's benign, plus you COULD get a second opinion on the whole thing! You are correct to be concerned about ANY pain, in my view, and especially in the breast, particularly with a change in size. See how the antibiotics do, but do consider proceeding with some of my other ideas. GG
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Thank you so very much for your replies. I had a really rough night last night. Lots if pain. Pain under my arm and in my breast. My lymph node above my collar bone is swollen now and pulsating is the only way I know how to explain the sensation. From the moment I was referred to the breast clinic "stat" I started looking up what this abnormal swelling could be. Ibc kept coming up and I have had a gnawing feeling in my gut that it is what I'm dealing with. The symptoms have progressed. By the time I went for the biopsy my underarm was getting sore. Not too long after my neck felt weird and I can feel those nodes. The really weird thing is I can feel something inside of my breast sometimes like it is growing or twisting. I feel like it did when I was nursing (like a filling up) for lack of a better way to describe it. And a couple of times I felt like my milk(which I shouldn't have any) was "letting down". I'm on day 4 of antibiotics with a worsening of symptoms. I have to admit I am really scared. My husband tells me I'm crazy, but I think he is worried too and doesn't know how
to express it. I appreciate a place that I can come and share my feelings. I go to the dr again Monday and hopefully will know a little more then. -
From the sound of your symptoms, you may have IBC. Tell your dr. you want him/her to rule out IBC. That way you can have a little piece of mind. Have a biopsy done to be sure. My prayers are with you. Good Luck. God Bless. Leisa
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You don't say where you are located but if you are anywhere near Texas or even if you are not, go to Houston. MD Anderson Cancer Center has an IBC program that most hospitals do not. If you don't have success locally finding someone who knows what is going on, go to their website and do a self-referral and make an appointment there if you can.
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To give you an update, I saw the breast specialist at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance today. She believes that the swollen lymph nodes are a reaction from the biopsy. She felt the one by my collarbone, but couldn't feel the one under my arm or on my neck, but then again, she couldn't feel the lump in my breast that I felt that showed up on the US. She wanted to do another mammo and US of the swollen lymph nodes. I asked about an MRI. She said that she didn't feel that my symptoms warrented that and then said actually we should wait and I should just come back in three weeks after my lymph nodes have a chance to calm down from the biopsy. She said that with IBC my breast would be RED. I keep asking why is my breast so much larger, and she says that with medicine there sometimes is no explanation. She thought maybe it was from a weight gain or loss, yet I haven't gained or lost any weight in the last year or so. I walked out of there knowing that she doesn't think it is an infection, she told me to discontinue the antibiotics and just wait. I'm so confused.
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Is this "breast specialist" an oncologist or breast surgeon or what? Sorry I don't think you should "wait" can your primary care physician help out here with a referral to another center - seriously, MD Anderson sounds like a good idea to me - send them an email with all your details and see what happens (I had a friend a few years ago that did that about his prostate cancer and they treated him - he was in South Carolina at the time but didn't like the care they were offering - he was in MD Anderson within the week and made a full recovery) - keeping you in my thoughts.
Hugs, Sandy
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She is a nurse practioner at the Cancer Clinic. She is, obviously, not a surgeon. Is that who I need to go see, a surgeon? My PCP referred me to the "breast clinic" which happens to be at the Cancer Care center. This is the person they set the appt with. Thank you so much for your reply Sandy
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I'm sure glad my breast specialist wasn't like yours is. IBC doesn't mean your breast will be RED, mine was a medium pink color. I had itching, swollen nodes in the armpits that were very sore, I had no idea that those were early symptoms of IBC until my rash presented overnight, orange rind look. I knew then that it was IBC.
Time frame: I did 10 days anitbiotic with a gyno, I was new in town and didn't have a doctor yet. Got into the breast specialist rather quickly, she did a punch biopsy but mine was negative. Mammo & US negative. Had a breast MRI where the IBC was located, then had another biospy which was positive. Got my diagnosis in 60 days from when the rash presented.
My breast specialist is incredible, she could remember the texture of my breast from one visit to the next. Truely amazing.
But I just don't understand why a breast specialist would want you to wait even longer. They must not be well versed in IBC.
I sure am hoping you can get some answers. You are not crazy & you are not alone. NJ
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Mrs. Little,
This is what I would do. I would go back down to or call down to that same cancer clinic you just went to, or ask your regular doc to do this for you, and request an appointment to talk to an oncology breast surgeon, and the visit should be done within the upcoming week or the next (I got in early the next week of my suspicious mammogram). I am really sorry they didn't put you in with a breast surgeon immediately, a nurse knows a lot, but in your situation, with your symptoms, and because IBC is not particularly typical, balanced with just how quickly and scary IBC can get, you MUST indeed have a breast cancer physician look at you. So, jump through the hoops again, and let us know what happens. Also, thanks to the post by Mrs. Band, I think it is very interesting that her first skin punch was negative, but it took the MRI to see her IBC, and a SECOND skin punch revealed a positive... so it's sort of hard to diagnose, all the more reason to insist on an MD.
Sincerely, Gail
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could you please view, http://www.cancerschmancer.org/articles/diagnosis-and-treatment/video-ibc-project-take-two The 30 minute video walks you thru ibc symptoms and treatment. It has really solid info from the top specialist, Dr. C and Dr. Wendy Woodward. I hope it gives you some info for you to get some answers. Good luck.
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Hi Mslittle,
I just found this thread of yours and when I did I had to do a double-take because for a second I thought that it was an old message I had written.
I certainly do not want to scare you or pretend to be a doctor via this board, but your post sounds so much like one I wrote last Fall.
I was about to turn 35, had a cyst that I found out later had not been tracked properly, developed redness, pain and swelling in that breast, waited for my period to come and go, and finaly went to see a doctor at my school's clinic.
He told me it was from breastfeeding. I told him this was a problem because I don't actually have children! Then he said it was an infection, prescribed antibiotics and sent me on my way.
Thankfully the next week I saw a second doctor and she -- as dogeyed is suggesting now to you -- got me a referal to an oncology breast surgeon. I went on more antibiotics for about a month and also had a biopsy -- which... came back positive for carcinoma. And I was diagnosed with IBC.
The thing is that I have lumpy breasts and always have, so even now (I'm still pre-surgery) it's hard for my team to figure out what's what in there.
My point of writing all this, as I said, is not to scare you, but to encourage you to stick to your guns and keep pursuing this. IBC is notorious for being difficult to diagnose.
A specialised surgeon is in the best position to figure out what's going on.
Best of luck to you and know that this board is a great resource for support.
As people here told me when I was getting things checked out... let's hope for "boring b9 results".
xo
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Thank you so much to all that have responded. I am still dealing with an enlarged, light pink, sometimes painful breast. I took the advice here and saw someone for a 2nd opinion (again I had to start with a Nurse Practitioner) and she told me by looking at me that I did not have IBC, she didn't see any skin thickening and it wasn't red! I was able to talk her into an MRI referral though. In the mean time I have been waiting for the appropriate time in my cycle to schedule, as of Monday the pinkness near my cleavage became more prominent and I developed 3 sores in almost a straight vertical line on the top of my breast each a little bigger that a pencil lead. They almost look as if the skin can not hold itself together any more, and now they are trying to scab over, almost like chicken pox. Back to the clinic I go, but this time by the grace of God the NP was on vacation and the Breast Surgeon saw me for a same day appt. She says she wants to Rule out IBC although she doesn't think it is IBC, starting with an MRI tomorrow and then if the hydrocortisone doesn't clear up the skin issues a skin biopsy. I go back to see her next Tuesday. Still have pain under my arm, especially my left, but occaisionally my right one too, swollen lymph node above my colarbone and in my neck.
I feel grateful that I finally saw someone that heard me and didn't discount my concerns. After my appointment with her I developed 3 more skin nodules (that is what she called them) directly above the three that were already there. It is really strange. Hydrocortisone helps with the coloring initially, but the pinkness comes back within an hour or so. I spent about 3 hous yesterday feeling like someone was stabbing my nipple. Have had sensations of that since then but it is better. I am looking forward to coming to some conclusions, at least the conclusion that it is or isn't IBC and being able to move on from there. Thank you again for all of your support and I will keep you posted.
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I hope you get to the bottom of this. Sounds like a bunch of bs from those who have looked at you soo far. But I am glad you are finally getting an MRI. You have gone long enough with this issue. If it is not IBC, could it be MRSA? This may be resistant to antibiotics. Do you have a fever? Hope you get some answers soon. I would not rely on the biospy of the lump alone, they should know this with all of your other symptoms. I would request a skin biospy and if they say no, then I would DEMAND a skin biopsy. I'm thinking you you, and I hope this issue is resolved ASAP.
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I've been reading a lot of the posts on this forum and all I can say is why are medical providers so insistant that THEY are right? It's our body and we should know if something is wrong. From what I've read a lot of them border on medical negligance.
I hope you get good results mrs.little and I'm glad you stood your ground.
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MrsLittle, so happy to read that you are pursueing this and are finally starting to get some medical people to listen.
Someone cannot look at your breat and tell you it's not IBC -- they have to run tests.
Our thoughts and strength and support are with you through this difficult process.
All the best!
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Why did the breast surgeon not do a punch biopsy while you there? That's what mine did, she did the skin punch biobsy first on my very first visit to her. Had the MRI, then she used the utlasound machine to locate the suspected area to do another biospy. All this takes place in her office. I guess my breast specialist is different that most.
I am glad someone is listening to you.
You said you have nodules on your skin, could you possibly be having shingles? Especially since you say it kind of looks likes chicken pox. Thinking out loud. NJ
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