Lymphedema or inflamatory breast cancer or ??

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited November 2017 in Lymphedema
Lymphedema or inflamatory breast cancer or ??
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  • Beehappy
    Beehappy Member Posts: 7
    edited November 2017

    Hi there. I had a lumpectomy in May. radiation June and July. No huge issues... Now for the last 3 days I have had a painful breast... Flushed, tight, ripply, burning feeling. I had only one node taken out. Could this be lymphedema or more frightening inflammatory breast cancer?

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited November 2017

    Beehappy, I'm so sorry this has flared up now--bummer!

    If your doctor is not available today, please go right away to the ER, because what you're describing may be cellulitis, a skin infection that can spread rapidly and needs IMMEDIATE treatment.

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Med...

    It could also be the onset of truncal (breast/chest) lymphedema, which does often present this way. Lymphedema is an inflammatory condition and in the breast in particular can take the form of tightness and redness. The redness can be from the lymphedema, but since it's not possible to determine that right away, YOU NEED TO GET MEDICAL HELP AT ONCE IN CASE IT IS AN INFECTION INSTEAD.

    If antibiotics don't reduce the redness, that's an indication of lymphedema. The next step would be to find a well-trained lymphedema therapist and get started on the gentle massage treatment and compression that will get it back into control.

    If you're still reading this, please stop and get to your doctor or ER now!

    And do, please, keep us posted and let us know how you're doing.
    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited November 2017

    If you can't see your Dr today a trip to an UC or ER would be in order - sooner rather than later as something is definately going on that needs to be seen by medical personnel.

    See a LET (LymphEdema Therapist) for a base line evaluation and education as soon,as possible but what you are says seems to need to be seen by your Dr. (or another Dr, PA, or NP) as something is going on.

    Yes - it is possible for LE to develope even if only 1 node (or none) was removed. The more nodes removed the more likely that 'it' might raise it's' ugly head. It can develope after any surgery or any traumatic injury.

    IBC would be incrediably unlikely! 'Something' is 'going on' and there is no one here who can tell you what is. Only a Dr who actually sees you can. Further testing may be needed and referrals to get 'whatever' is going on undercontrol.

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  • LymphActivist
    LymphActivist Member Posts: 64
    edited November 2017

    Sentinel node biopsy (especially in the upper-outer quadrant) followed by full breast radiation makes you a candidate for breast lymphedema (sometimes diagnosed as delayed breast cellulitis). For further information see the article on breast and truncal lymphedema at www.lymphactivist.org/breast_lymphedema_for_therapists.pdf.

    I noticed that your original posting was back in April. Have you been diagnosed yet? Have you been seen by a lymphedema therapist? Can you update us?

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  • Beehappy
    Beehappy Member Posts: 7
    edited November 2017

    Hey all. Happy to say the breast started to calm down by the weekend. I am on 10 days of antibiotics. Today they did an ultrasound and another mammo. Next week decisions will be made and they will do biopsies if things have not improved completely.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited November 2017

    Beehappy, glad to hear you're moving toward answers. Do, please, keep us posted.

    Be well!
    Binney

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