Inflammation on punch biopsy

autism_mom · July 2012

Hello all,

This is (sort of) my first time posting on this forum. I been posting on the worried... forum for a couple weeks now, but I have read probably every single word that's been written over here.

Basic hx: 40 y/o. Hysterectomy/ooph in 2005/2006. Five weeks ago had spontaneous rib fracture to two ribs. Shortly after started having searing hot pain in right breast. Later developed some lacy type rash to breast. Skin texture started to become rough for lack of a better term. Kind of like textured drywall? I don't know. Started to develop some bruising on breasts. Started to develop what I'm pretty sure to be peau d'orange (I just took some good pics this morning but don't know how to post them). Two days ago developed dark pink "rash" on right breast, which is now getting darker like a bruise almost. Have had negative mammo (x2), negative ultrasound (x2), saw bs at MD Anderson (not Houston), had skin punch biopsy yesterday and will be getting breast MRI in the next few days.

So here is the question. BS called today and said biopsy shows no cancer but does show inflammation (hence the MRI). How many of you had biopsies that only showed inflammation but then went on to be dx with IBC? I'm feeling pretty good about this result right now, BUT I know that I read some posts where the original bx only showed inflammation, so I'm not ready to cross IBC off the list yet.

Any answers would be greatly appreciated. And thank you all for the great information you have provided to this sight. You all are the reason I went to MDA in the first place and am still pursuing this.

ibcmets · July 2012

I actually also had a 3.5cm idc tumor along with ibc so I was quickly pushed through to all testing. The mammo was suspicious and the ultrasound confirmed inflammation as well as tumor & 2 other benign spots I had. The guided biopsy confirmed pathology.

I do not believe ibc gets better without treatment. If your breasts do not get better on antibiotics, you'll need to go back for another biopsy.

Terri

autism_mom · July 2012

Thank you ibcmets. I have not had any antibiotics. BS said she really doesn't feel that this is an infection, but may try antibiotics as a "last resort" if MRI comes out negative. I have had c-diff so antibiotics are only used when absolutely necessary. Plus, blood work did not show signs of infection. I may ask for one more punch biopsy in the top of the breast where the texturing changes have taken place. Are there different sizes of punches, because the one she used was very small, and didn't go very deep. I thought it was suppose to get to the lymphatic vessels.

ibcmets · July 2012

autism_mom,

I had a surgical biopsy that was guided by ultrasound in 3 diff spots. My breast was quite a bit larger than the normal one and had what seemed like a band of hardness across the breast as well as what looked like a bug bite or orange skin-like dimpling.

Hope they get an accurate diagnosis for you and get your problem resolved. It more difficult not knowing what's going on.

Terri

nancyjac · July 2012

A punch biopsy is specifically used to get a sample of the skin. They do not go deep by design. In order to get a tissue sample below the layers of skin, you would need a needle biopsy which is a totally different procedure. I had both and both were positive. Multiple punch biopsies are not likely to be any help in diagnosis and might cause further irritation to what is going on. I also had 2 mammograms, both were positive. I had sonograms. PET/CT, MRI. All showed possitive. Not all of these were for diagnosis. After the original biopsy the rest were for staging and development of treatment plan. You may have a inflammation that could be the result of lots of things. An alergic reaction, change in soap (body or wash detergent) body lotion, dry skin, ill fitting bra, etc.

Inflammation on punch biopsy

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