IBC presenting symptoms

Hello,

I really hope you don't have IBC. Regardless, welcome!

I wish I could give you a clear answer on how IBC presents but it appears in so many different ways that there is no "typical" presentation. Mine presented as an inverted nipple with a very spongy mass that could only be felt because I had an old, non-BC related scar. No skin changes, redness, or warmth. I actually had 3 masses.

Others here have had various skin changes, some with redness, some with peau d'orange and few with palpable masses. Some had warmth in the involved breast, others did not. Some had pain in their lymph nodes, others did not.

The only way to confirm a DX of IBC is through a biopsy.

I know it would be somewhat comforting to have a checklist of what IBC looks like. Sadly, there isn't one which makes the waiting for your mammo and US just miserable. All you can do is remember that IBC is very rare and it is treatable.

May I offer one piece of advice? Take a calm support person with you and ask them to take notes.

Please feel free to vent, ask questions, or whatever you need. We'll be here and almost always someone will have an answer. And do let us know how you're doing.

Wishing you the best,

bride

There are MANY possibilities for skin issues on the breast that have nothing to do with any type of BC - including IBC.

There is no 'One Size Fits All'! For me, the first 'sign' was a node that was not felt one night but the next night it was the size of an almond. It took me a week to see my PA as she was on vacation but had new mammo, US and biopsies that afternoon with path report the next morning at 8 - IBC. In the 17 days til I started neoadjuvant chemo, breast did enlarge, nipple inverted and peaud'orange developed. i never developed any redness/rash or pain/itchiness.

IBC is aggressive and rapid in presentation. It takes a biopsy to DX as it does not present as other types of BC do - it presents in 'nests' or 'bands'. Is IBC a possibility - of course -'anything' is possible BUt highly unlikely as IBC is rare (between only 1% - 5% of all DXd BC). If all who decide they are IBC because of skin issues actually were - it would be the most common type of BC which it isn't.

You need to see a Dr - sooner better than later. Do not self diagnose based on what you have read/seen on that QUACK Dr Google.. See a competent Dr who is actually seeing you. No matter what is going , the sooner you know and take carre of whatever it is the better.