Scared! Do I have IBC?

Hi Christina-

First, we want to welcome you to our community here at BCO. We're sorry for the worry that brings you here, but we're glad you've found us.

If you're worried and are noticing even more changes, and can't get an earlier appointment with the breast specialist, you can try getting in to see your personal physician. Have you spoken to your doctor, the one who ordered the mammo and ultrasound? If not, or you haven't seen him or her for a follow-up after completing the antibiotic, you should call and talk to them about the continued issues. IBC is incredibly rare, making up only about 1-5% of breast cancers, but we know it's hard not to worry. Just remember, the odds are on your side!

Please keep us posted, we'll be thinking of you!

The Mods

You are your best advocate. PUSH politely for an earlier appointment!

Now, My question...I had a pink scald like looking mark the size of a quarter turn to a deep purple on my L breast and it lasted deep purple for 8 weeks. Over these 8 weeks, I saw a doc who ordered an US, and mammogram which were both negative.  He referred me out to a surgeon for a look, but by the time I saw a surgeon the mark resolved 5 days earlier!   Anyways, we agreed on a 3 mos follow up US, which showed a 'concerning mass'.  Biopsy revealed this to be an 8mm PASH...'slightly insignificant'..."you take it out and carry on'...except that I went for the mammotome yesterday and that 8mm PASH is now 1.6cm and lobular!?... and thus no longer candidate for mammotome.  I will be having it surgically removed BUT the radiologist said something that I had already thought!....."sometimes these PASH tumors are associated with cancers we don't even know we have".  Obviously I am concerned that my 8 week long pink to purple mark is the earliest of earliest signs of IBC - bc we all know, once IBC is clinically diagnosable, it is usually stage 3 or 4!  Who KNOWS what it looks like, or acts like in stage 1 or 2....there is no data that I can find.  Call me crazy but an 'insignificant PASH' tumor bening or not COMBINED with an unanswered discolouration mark of 8 week duration brings a new level of concern...right? 

I have read where PASH tumors are not all that uncommon.  However, I am not sure if that would cause a purple/pink mark to be on your breast.  Have you considered another opinion with a different breast specialist?

Hi Christina,

There's some brief information on our main site on Microcalifications.

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/mammograms/mamm_show

Gentle hugs to you,

The mods

Christiana,

Kicks & Bon are correct re: chemo first for those diagnosed with ibc. IBC has a standard protocal of treatment unlike many other breast cancers.

Terri

Missy328 - A punch biopsy may be done for some - but not always something that is appropriate for an IBC DX. For me, there was no skin issues to biopsy but FNB did work for my IBC DX

Yes - Dermatologist (and others) can do punch biopsies. My Dermotologist has done punch biopsies for my BÇC and SCC (which have nothing at all to do IBC). But we are all unique and there is no 'One Size Fits All'.

Yes Kicks we are all unique : ). I only mentioned punch bx since Christina has intermittent redness as well as the peau d'orange. My IBC was not found with FNB. The cancer was, just not the IBC specifically. I feel they should have done the punch bx first because so much time was taken doing everything else and as we know time is crucial with IBC

I had my symptoms about two months also. Btw, my rash faded for a while and then came back. I think it's great that you cancelled the surgery. I wish you the best of luck. Keep us posted please. I will pray for you

Christina,

Glad you are on top of this and I hope they find out next week what's going on.

Terri