Can IBC inflammation resolve and become subclinical?

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barbarajee
barbarajee Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)

History:  Awakened at 0300 with headache, fever, chills, nausea, and slight tenderness lateral breast.  No discoloration.  Went to ER as thought flu but nasal swab was negative. Neg chest, urine, CT head.  Had white count of 20k with no shift.  Mentioned incidental breast tenderness to MD and exam revealed now reddened and more tender lateral breast.  Diagnosed with mastitis.  (I am in my 60's).  Given IV antibiotic  with RX for 10d oral, and sent home to f/u with MD in 3 days.  Referral MD (hematologist) says not mastitis as no shift, until he examined my breast which was now almost entirely inflamed and acutely tender, some shooting pains at times.  Then he said I did have a flu type virus and perhaps mastitis.  Instructions were to complete my ABX at which time he will repeat lab work.  No mention made of mammogram although possibility of IBC discussed and seemingly dismissed. This is not my primary physician nor am I in my home state and will not be for another month.  After eight days, symptoms have all resolved with only faint discoloration of my breast remaining; I will complete my ABX in two days.  My question is primarily would IBC symptoms resolve to 'normal' state?  I read that a mammogram does not r/o IBC so anything to be gained if negative?  I appreciate any insight you can offer as I don't want to be one of those statistics who delayed diagnosis due to "mastitis".  Thank you.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2014

    Not sure if this is helpful, but you may want to look at this as well. http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/idc

    We are thinking of you!

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited April 2014

    Sounds like you had an infection as the Drs suggested as antibiotics have taken/are taking care of it.  There are so MANY possibilities as to what caused your problems but with it responding to antibiotics if is almost impossible to be IBC.  

    IBC is very aggressive and quick - it would be great if antibiotics 'killed' it  so no one would ever have to deal with it but alas it isn't and a few of us do LIVE with it.  It is rare - of all DXd BCs, IBC is only between 1% and 5%.  To make yourself feel better when you get home, see your trusted PCP.  Again there are so MANY possibilites of what you had happen but it's resolving so that's fantastic.  


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  • barbarajee
    barbarajee Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2014

    Thank you.  I have read all the stories of people who delayed diagnosis as they were incorrectly diagnosed and treated for mastitis.  However I knew if my breast had stayed inflamed then there would have been NO ignoring it.   Thus I wondered if some of these misdiagnosed individuals perhaps  were able to ignore the symptoms as they may have waned for an extended period of time.  I was also concerned as the MD originally discounted mastitis as not consistent with the lab work.  Your response is reassuring and I will pursue further investigation when I see my PCP. 

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