Bruise on breast and IBC

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marogers50
marogers50 Member Posts: 3
edited June 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

I have had a very small bruise like mark on the bottom of my left breast for a few months now. I can’t remember exactly how long it has been there because I have a 9 month old and was breastfeeding and thought it was due to that so didn’t think much of it. I know it has been there for at least 3 months if not more and it looks purple. Recently I went in for an appointment at my obgyn and showed it to the nurse practitioner and she said she didn’t think much of it because she almost couldn’t even see it until I pointed it out to her. It used to be more noticeable so I do think it has lightened some. Today I went to the dermatologist in hopes to get a skin punch biopsy but after looking at it she’s said it’s vascular and probably from pregnancy and nothing to worry about and no need for biopsy. I even mentioned IBC to her and she said she had convinced herself she had that once and I shouldn’t be worried. Well now I’m worried because she said it’s vascular and isn’t IBC in the lymphatic veins? I have no other symptoms, but any info would be helpful

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited June 2019

    What you describe sounds nothing like IBC. IBC develops quickly, within a matter of days. It wouldn't remain the same for a few months.

    Vascular bruises are very common - it just means that some blood vessels under the skin have been broken. It's usually caused by a bump to the skin. Inflammatory breast cancer is when cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast - not at all the same thing as a vascular bruise.

    Given what your breasts went through with pregnancy, the bruise could be caused by that, or it could be that your child elbowed you in the breast one time while you were breast feeding.

    You have the NP and the dermatologist telling you that this is nothing to be worried about. Listen to them. They have seen the bruise. The websites you google have not seen your bruise and Dr. Google is notoriously a really crappy, fear-mongering source of information.

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  • marogers50
    marogers50 Member Posts: 3
    edited June 2019

    Thank you so much for your reply! So a blocked lymph vessel wouldn’t show up as a bruise? I guess that is where I was getting confused and worried. I had checked google before (I know I shouldn’t have) and I found a story where a woman said she had a blue spot on her breast for 6 months before she presented with all the other symptoms of IBC and now that has been stuck in my head. Again thank you for your help, my anxiety has been affecting me enjoying my time with my baby and boyfriend

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited June 2019

    First, don't believe anecdotal stories you read on the internet. Too often, important details are missing or the story is simply untrue. If you are going to check google when you have health concerns, go to reliable sites such as the NIH or Mayo Clinic or even WebMD.

    I believe that initially IBC might show up as a bruise but IBC progresses very quickly and it would not be long before a large area of the breast would be red, inflamed and enlarged.

    Honestly, other than reading a scary story on the internet, you have no reason at all to think that you have IBC.

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  • marogers50
    marogers50 Member Posts: 3
    edited June 2019

    I went to see the breast surgeon today. He did a breast exam and looked at the bruised area on my breast, he said it is called Telangiectasia and that it is not IBC. He did seem to be knowledgeable about IBC and answered all of my questions and was very understanding about my anxiety. He went ahead and referred me for an ultrasound which I’ll have tomorrow. He didn’t think it was necessary but did it to make me feel better. He also said he can do a biopsy which he doesn’t think is necessary. I’m going on a vacation for a week on Saturday and he told me to enjoy my vacation and if I decide I want a biopsy I can call when I get back and he will do it. He was very reassuring and made me feel better but now my anxiety is coming back again. Does IBC never present the way I am describing

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited June 2019

    I'm glad you got good news from the breast surgeon. Now, why do you think anyone here is going to know more than the very qualified person who has examined you thoroughly? Please go out there and enjoy your life.

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