Pinkish Redspot for months.IBC?

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NervousNellie18
NervousNellie18 Member Posts: 15
edited November 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hello anyone who has taken the time to read this, Thank you.

I have been looking at these boards for months on end and have finally decided to post. I have been trying to avoid this but I can't take the worry any longer.

Background- I am 28. I was a nursing Momma to a 11 month old when my story started, which was 4.5 months ago.I noticed a spot on my upperish right breast. I figured it was from my older son always finding a way to jab his elbow into my chest. Fast forward two weeks later and I realized the pink spot was still there. I had remember reading something long ago about changing color of the skin could mean breast cancer so I of course start freaking out. I show my mom friends and they said it looked like a clogged duct spot which could lead to mastitis. I made sure to massage the area in addition to putting on hot and cold compresses. The spot was still there but it did appear faded.

I went and saw my PCM, she totally blew me off said it was dermatitis and sent me on my way. Well my husband is in the military and we were moving so I let it go for a couple of months until We finally moved. In that time the spot grew to about the size of a half dollar, maybe a little bit bigger. It changes from purplish to pinkish and sometimes looks faded, especially if I rub on it awhile. I saw my new PCM and told her of my worries of IBC. She agreed that it was an odd spot and she referred me to get an ultrasound and to see a general surgeon. The ultrasound took five seconds and showed nothing. I meet with the general surgeon who re-did the 5 minute ultrasound and looks around the area, he says it looks normal, no vascular changes. He thinks it is hormonal and asks if I am okay to stop nursing to see if the spot will fade. Not to mention it lowers my risk of a milk fistula in the case I get a punch biopsy. I agree to stop nursing, I will do anything at this point to figure out what this spot is. Fast forward 4.5 weeks. My son had only been weaned for like 2 weeks. The spot was still there. He felt like it looked better (I can't even tell if it has changed) but thought I should wait two more weeks. I told him I couldn't- I am not present in the moment and I am not sleeping because I am constantly trying to Google and figure out what this is. So he went ahead and did the skin punch biopsy. Now I am just waiting..... His new theory is it looks vascular, he doesn't believe it is cancer. I am thankful he agreed to do the biopsy regardless of his thoughts.

I guess I want to know if anyone had a similar story?Anyone just have a spot (that does change colors )as your symptom? Would IBC pr any other cancer have already progressed?

The spot is my only odd symptom. Occasionally I feel some pain and pinching but nothing consistent or super painful. This breast has been ultrasound before because I felt lumps and bumps. This boob is a lumpy boob. Also, most of the veins in my boob do seem to go through/around the spot.

Any prayers,thoughts and insights are much much appreciated. Thank you.

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  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited July 2018

    NervousNellie18

    Symptoms of IBC progress rapidly over days/weeks without periods of regression or improvement. The key clinical diagnostic feature when present is thickening of the skin with an orange peel appearance, many people liken the symptoms to that of an infection. Mammography can show diffuse increased density in the affected breast when compared to the same area in the other breast. US does not usually show a discrete mass but there is a difference in the echo pattern of the affected breast tissue when compared to the other side. Examination of the axillary lymph nodes is an important part of evaluation by ultrasound.

    Let us know what the biopsy shows.

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  • NervousNellie18
    NervousNellie18 Member Posts: 15
    edited July 2018

    Thank you for your response. There was no examination of my nodes, just said my breast looked normal. I will let you know biopsy results as I get them. Thank you again.

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  • Sjakd11
    Sjakd11 Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2018

    I have what looks almost like a hive, when the doc measured it the area was 3x5cm. It’s looked almost exactly the same since I noticed it a month ago. Sometimes looks more purple, sometimes more pink or red. I take a photo everyday or every couple and it actually is starting to look a little smaller. I’ve seen 6 doctors now. 2 PAs, a gyno, my regular gyno (over 14 years), a dermatologist and now a specialist. The first 3 said to use some cream. Well, that did nothing lol. My gyno after a dose of antibiotics sent me to the specialist. While waiting for that appt I saw the derm and she didn’t seem concerned, took a punch biopsy to ease my mind though. Results aren’t back yet, dawn the surgeon/specialist yesterday and she wasn’t concerned either and said the punch biopsy will tell us if there’s an issue. But said more than likely since the derm said it looked vascular and just on the surface there isn’t a need for concern. So now I wait

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  • katheperez
    katheperez Member Posts: 6
    edited July 2018

    Hello Nervous Nelly,

    I hear you! I noticed a purple spot on my left breast six weeks ago. I thought it was a bug bite. Then it turned into a tiny boil, but did not burst, then it stayed purple and I thought nothing of it. No pain. No itch. Then two weeks ago another purple spot appeared near the first.

    After an exhaustive internet search of "purple spots on my breast" I saw my PCP yesterday and she agreed that it was concerning. I have an appointment with an oncologist on Tues July 31st and a surgeon to do a "punch biopsy." I'm trying not to freak out.

    Keep us posted on your process.

    warmly,

    Kathe

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  • NervousNellie18
    NervousNellie18 Member Posts: 15
    edited July 2018

    Sjakd11

    It sounds like we are in a similar position. Mine does not look like a hive, it is perfectly flat but it changes colors just like what you are describing. It even looks like there is a lighter heart right in the middle of this splotch. It's the weirdest thing. I think mine is about 4cm. Since the biopsy is done I have been dousing it with a mixture of coconut, tea tree and lavender oils. Not sure if it is actually helping. I have also been wearing a sports bra constantly to see if it helps.

    The waiting is very hard to do. At the same time I feel some sort of relief that we will know some thing soonish. Please keep me posted about your results.

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  • NervousNellie18
    NervousNellie18 Member Posts: 15
    edited July 2018

    Hi Kathe,

    It's so hard not to freak out about these things but it definitely sounds like your at least on the right path to getting some answers.

    Please keep us posted.

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  • Sjakd11
    Sjakd11 Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2018

    nervousnelly, yeah mine has not changed size or anything the month it's been there which is usually good. I'm still waiting on the results from the punch biopsy, my derm was very reassuring it was just a vascular spot and has seen similar on other parts of the body but not the breast. She's seen IBC many times, along with the specialist I saw, and they both highly believe it's just a skin issue going on and not IBC. Wearing different bras and not wearing one doesn't change it. I was having pains in that breast a few weeks ago, but I also got my period a few days after and haven't had the pains since. That wasn't my second real period since quitting my birth control so that would explain the breast pain, im starting to wonder if my hormones are just to blame for it all. I'll update as soon as i get the results


    Also mine has no itching or scaling of the skin. No swollen lymph nodes (I constantly check daily, and specialist felt and looked also on the 25th) Not hot to the touch, and there isn't the orange peel look. The only reason why the follicles are somewhat bigger looking is due to the slight hive like appearance. It's crazy. I warned all the docs that of course I've been researching also. Both breast look completely similar in all other aspects, my nipple is exactly the same as it was years ago. The only pain I'm experiencing currently is random tiny ones, and they seem to come from where the biopsy was done which I've read is normal until it's completely healed. I also have Trigeminal Neuralgia, while mild, I have a feeling it may also be affecting the nerves in My upper bod

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  • NervousNellie18
    NervousNellie18 Member Posts: 15
    edited July 2018

    My spot seemed to be shrinking but today it seems to have gotten bigger than before. This is the only day in a week that I haven't been constantly putting on tea tree and lavender. I am wondering about hormones as well. My breast have been more sore especially this right one with the spot. I looked at my period tracker and it says 1 day after ovulation. Today I feel very yucky in my pelvic region, almost like I am pregnant (not possible I have copper IUD and had a period last cycle) or starting a period. I don't know what's going on in my body.....

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  • Sjakd11
    Sjakd11 Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2018

    I'm a day or so after ovulation also! Thank god for phone trackers. Hahaha as if hormones don't cause enough chaos!

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  • Sjakd11
    Sjakd11 Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2018

    have you gotten results yet? I haven’t. I’m on the whole “no news is good news” thing

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  • NervousNellie18
    NervousNellie18 Member Posts: 15
    edited July 2018

    no results. They said they might be in in a week and a half but I couldn't get an appointment with the surgeon until almost 3 weeks after the biopsy. I am operating under the assumption that they would call me in sooner if it's worrisome. I think I'm going to call tomorrow and see if I can see the doctor before he goes on vacation. 3 weeks is a long time.....

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  • Sjakd11
    Sjakd11 Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2018

    mine has gotten smaller and a little lighter, so I have no idea what the deal is. I'm still waiting on mine also. Fingers crossed for answers for both of us!!

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  • Rosey84
    Rosey84 Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2018

    I also have a weird splodge (mine is purple) on my boob! It appeared during pregnancy (three years ago!) and is still there now! Mine is only 4mm but such a bizarre rectangular shape with tiny branches and two pink spots in the centre. My GP had a quick look at it once and said it was a ‘Campbell de morgan’ spot. I’m not sure I agree, but I do think it’s vascular especially given how long I’ve had it.

    Our bodies do love to worry us!

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  • Sjakd11
    Sjakd11 Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2018

    that is kind of crazy Rosey84. My blotch today looks a little lighter and smaller once again, I'm praying it just goes away. I'm tired of waiting for my results, it's nerve racking!!

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  • kmom80
    kmom80 Member Posts: 26
    edited August 2018

    Has anyone received results yet? I have a weird dime size purple spot too. Been there for a year. Ultrasound and mammo negative. I have an appt this afternoon and want to push for a punch biopsy.

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  • Sjakd11
    Sjakd11 Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2018

    reticular erythematous mucinosis is what mine is. I JUST got them back, after almost 3 weeks of waiting

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  • NervousNellie18
    NervousNellie18 Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2018

    Sjakd11

    I am so glad you finally got your results. I did some googling on REM. Seems like a rare thing. Hopefully now you can get some peace with the situation.

    My appointment with my surgeon is tomorrow. I am super nervous. My wait will have been a day shy of 3 weeks too.

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  • NervousNellie18
    NervousNellie18 Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2018

    The biopsy results came back as Lichenoid Dermatitis. I was not able to see my actual surgeon so I have very little insight to what this is or what it could mean. There is some kind of inflammation between two layers of skin. There is not much online except it can be caused by a drug reaction- I hardly take medicine ever. It's an Inflammatory response of some kind. All I can find is a lot of medical journal articles. Now I wait to see a dermatologist. Thank you to the kind people who took time out to share their support and share in my worries.

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  • Sjakd11
    Sjakd11 Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2018

    I’m happy we both got results that are benign!! Has yours changed any? Mine hasn’t, well it looks a little smaller and lighter. My derm wants to run some blood tests, I guess mine can come from immune problems. Update me on the surgeon visit, I’m curious to know what they say!

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  • NervousNellie18
    NervousNellie18 Member Posts: 15
    edited November 2018

    Update: I don't know if I am as worried my spot is IBC but now I still think there is something wrong somewhere in there. The spot continues to get bigger- I have had it for almost 8 months. The center of the spot has turned yellow and the skin has ridges and is thicker there. It's a small patch of that with a rather large pinkish spot around it. The dermatologist gave me a cream but it did not work. I have a follow up next Wednesday. I may ask for another punch biopsy of the thickened area. Also, depending what she says I may beg the surgeon who initially saw me for a referral to a breast specialist or at least a mammogram/breast MRI despite my age and no family history of BC. This spot is really freaking me out.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited November 2018

    Still sounds like a skin issue to me. IBC would be unmistakable in 3+ months

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  • NervousNellie18
    NervousNellie18 Member Posts: 15
    edited November 2018

    Yes that's why I am not worried about that anymore but I am worried it could be some hidden issue in my breast. I had a clear ultrasound at the time but my skin felt normal then, now there is a patch that does not feel normal. I just wanted to update incase anyone ever has a similar worry or issue.

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I hope it is just a skin thing.

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