Getting an IBC Diagnosis

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klb2328
klb2328 Member Posts: 2
edited November 2014 in IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)

Hi all,

Sometime over the summer (I think around late July or early August) I noticed a large red area on one breast.  I am breastfeeding, so I thought it was bfing related.  I kept waiting for soreness, fever, etc...anything typical to mastitis or plugged duct.  Nothing came.  About a month or so later I contacted a Lactation Consultant, who thought it was not breastfeeding related.  So I contacted my ob, had a brief exam and he dismissed it as nothing.  Said "It looks like a bruise."  Anyway, I sought out a second opinion from a general practice physician and she said she didn't think IBC because I had no peau d'orange.  Got an ultrasound anyway which came back normal.  Then we did two courses of antibiotics with no positive change.  The area has gotten bigger...kind of looks like a bruised ring.  And then two nights ago I looked in the mirror and saw peau d'orange that was never there before.  I have an appointment with a breast specialist in a week and a half but I am just concerned that it will be missed, if it is IBC, especially because I am still breastfeeding.  Any suggestions for what to ask the specialist?  Any suggestions for what tests they should run to get a definitive diagnosis or to clear me?  

Thanks in advance!

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

    Welcome to BCO, we're sorry you felt the need to find us, but glad you did.

    Firstly we would suggest you read some technical articles on our main site, such as: Inflammatory Breast Cancer and October 2006: Inflammatory Breast Cancer and then talk with others on these forums regarding their experiences. We're glad you are treating this properly by seeking professional a more informed professional diagnosis.

    We wish you a benign result and hope it is some other shin condition.

    The Mods

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  • bride
    bride Member Posts: 382
    edited October 2014

    KLB,

    When you see a specialist about this you'll probably have a mammogram and possibly an ultrasound. If either shows bands of calcification, you'll need a biopsy. Only then will you know more about what's going on. None of us can Dx you, but IBC is very rare -- out of over 250,000 new cases of BC in 2013, only 11,000 were IBC. I'd hope you're not overly freaked by the possibility of IBC; it is very rare and there are numerous other things which can look like it.

    Please let us know what you find out,

    Best,

    bride

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  • klb2328
    klb2328 Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2014

    Bride,

    I understand that ibc is rare and the likelihood of my having it is slim. I just want to rule it out as the symptoms appear to be very similar. I could be mistaken here, but can't ibc go undetected on ultrasound and mammogram?

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

    As has been said IBC is rare - only between 1% - 5% of all diagnosed BCs.  It is also aggressive and rapid in presentation.  If everyone who comes here having decided they were IBC because of skin issues/rashes - it would be the most common, which it isn't.  There are no 'hard and fast' rules with how  IBC presents with everyone.  nor does it show as a 'lump' but rather as a 'nest' or in 'bands' though lymph node(s) may enlarge and feel like a 'lump'.

      There are MANY possibilities as to what is going on.  Only your Dr can tell you what it is - no one here can.  

    After you see the Breast Specialist, if nothing is found, an appt. with a Dermatologist would probably be in order.

    While in some cases it can be highly suspected - for a diagnosis of IBC it takes a positive biopsy for confirmation.

    Again - see your Dr without putting it off.  There are MANY possibilities/probabilities with IBC being among the least likely. (Remember, anything is possible so the sooner you know what it is - the better no matter what the DX is.)

    Let us know how your appt goes.

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  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited October 2014

    I've had cellulitis and IBC, and I'm here to tell you that they look just alike, not only to me but to my breast surgeon. 

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  • bride
    bride Member Posts: 382
    edited November 2014

    KLB,

    Yes, Mammos, US, and MRI's can fail to detect IBC. And a biopsy is the only sure way to get a DX. But if your mammo, us, and MRI are all clear, what can be biopsied?

    Is the breast specialist a MO? If so, he/she should be able to recognize peau d'orange. I'm glad you're getting your breast attended to. And I'm hoping it isn't IBC.

    bride

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