Biopsy Results: Inflammation. Is this good?

Destiny50 · July 2008

Hi all. Here's my question: I waited 4 weeks to have a biopsy of a red welt on my painful breast. Since then my breast has grown 25% or more. The biopsy was Monday and today, my breast was burning up inside. The Dr put me on antibiotic just in case it is from the biopsy and ordered a diagnostic mammogram (a week away). I was grateful that she knew enough to order a punch biopsy since she kind of blew it all off initially. I got the call with the results today and I have mixed feelings. I was told that the results showed inflammation only. So its not inflammatoiry Breast Cancer? Right? Or could it still be? Would a punch biopsy show difinitive results or should I wait until the mamogram results to celebrate? Why do I feel so unconvinced if I should be relieved?

lexi4 · July 2008

Hey Destiny,

I think inflammation can happen from either a bug bite or other things not related to bc. Breast cancer cells most likely would have shown in the biopsy. A mammo doesn't always show the IBC. I would defintely not give up until I knew what was going on for sure though! Saying a prayer for NO bc.

Please keep in touch,

Lexi

Bookworm · July 2008

Destiny

Call your doc if your questions are not answered or if you have more. I had results in less than two days-but like Lexie said, (dang I forgot) Oh, yeah, mammogram/Ultrasound will often not show IBC, I was misdiagnosed as fibrocystic disease at first (4 months delay).

Ask questions...

Bookworm · July 2008

Destiny

Call your doc if your questions are not answered or if you have more. I had results in less than two days-but like Lexie said, (dang I forgot) Oh, yeah, mammogram/Ultrasound will often not show IBC, I was misdiagnosed as fibrocystic disease at first (4 months delay).

Ask questions...

Destiny50 · July 2008

Thank you for your responses.

My Dr is my GP and I really don't think she knows much abouit IBC. I talked with a fellow online with the National Cancer site and he told me to contact my local Cancer Society immediately.

If a mammogram and utrasound may not show it, and the biopsy came back as inflammation, how will I know? I can't go around with this pain, heat and one breast so much bigger than the other (Its obvious even with clothes on) very long. I'm on antibiotics and so far no improvement- only more pain and swelling.

I guess I have to be proactive and demand to see an oncologist. What did you do when it didn't show up on the mammogram?

TenderIsOurMight · July 2008

Hi Destiny,

It's good to seek counsel from an oncologist, not out of fright but as you said, but to help ensure there is no problem which needs further addressing. Proactive is a word often stressed on this forum.

With this in mind, you may wish to scroll through the oncologists here at bc.org for any proximity to your hometown, as well as check the "find the oncologist" page at the American Society of Clinical Oncologist's website:

www.cancer.net/patient/Diagnosis+and+Treatment/Finding+Quality+Care/Find+an+Oncologist

It's important you not fast forward yourself mentally into having Inflammatory Breast Cancer, yet take appropriate steps as you have mentioned. Let your oncologist help you answer your question.

Tender

It cannot be emphasized too strongly that treatment of each patient is a highly individualized matter. (FDA-approved labeling for warfarin (Coumadin) NDA 9-218/5-105)

AnnNYC · July 2008

Hi Destiny50,

I sent you a Private Message (PM) -- see the black box that says "Private Messages" up toward the top right of this page.

Take care,

Ann

Eijaliisa · July 2008

Destiny,

I would recommend a second opinion. Until you rule out IBC, I would not stop. See a breast specialist or an oncologist but do not stop until you know for sure. I hope yours is just an infection.

Best of luck to you.

Eija,

Dxd.5/05, IBC, stage IIIB, EP-/ER-/HER2-, currently NED

Destiny50 · July 2008

Hi ,

Thank you for your responses. I knew this would be a fight but wow! I spoke with cancer centers, UCSD and a guy from the Cancer Society- all said to get to a specialist now! But becuse I have an HMO I need a referral. I spoke with my Dr yesterday and can you believe she wouldn't give me one!!! I told her that since I'd seen her last my left breast had gone from a C to a D and the other was aching now as well. Didn't matter! She wants me to make an appoinment after the diaagnostic Mammogram. So I called an ob/gyn and she saw me this morning-that fast! She palpatated my breast and found that all my glands in my chest, smaller breast, neck and upper back are swollen and tender. She could even see how swollen they were on my shoulder blade. She's referring my to the surgeon as an urgency and wants me to be seen immediately. She really didn't know much about IBC either but at least she admits that and is sending me to someone who does. Anyway, if it is at all possible, I'm more scared than I was before. My diagnostic mammogram is Thursday and I am so worried about the pain of it. I can't take any painkillers (I'm allergic) except Tylenol. Has anyone else had this gland thing going on?

AnnNYC · July 2008

Destiny, good for you contacting the ob/gyn. I'm so glad you're getting urgent attention. I'm sorry that it's scary -- and painful. I hope it is a digital mammogram. I had my first digital mammo 2 weeks ago (on my 1 remaining breast), and while they squished my breast in the same plastic plates, it was FAIR less painful (I guess because it's quicker? and maybe they don't need to squish as hard) as previous mammos. I hope that'll be true for you.

As for your glands -- I think they can react that way for any number of reasons dealing with generalized inflammation, triggered by any number of causes, including infection.

I hope you can try not to race too far ahead with what it might be -- but just continue to pursue these appointments as vigorously as you have been doing, to figure this out.

Hugs,

Ann

ateepay · July 2008

Please let us know how you are after you have seen a doctor who is familiar with IBC. That is so very very important.

Think good thoughts until then.

Destiny50 · July 2008

Hi again. I got into see a general surgeon today. He said its nothing to worry about. He's seen IBC cancer before (And, since I asked...at least twice a year) and my breast doesn't look anything like it. It could be hormonal, you know, perimenipausal ( no reference to one breast being effected more than the other) or viral. Since The left breast would flow to the left nodes and the right would flow to the right nodes it would seem that there are two different problems. It may be a reaction to meds or a skin irritation. (still no comment on the difference in breast size). So I am supposed to not be concerned. He wants me to call him on Friday to remind him to look at the diagnostic mammmogram results. We'll go from there. And since there's no way to diagnose a virus and very little do do about one, I'm just supposed to grin and bare it. Not a problem! My left breast feels like there is a guy on the inside with a jack hammer stabbing on a nerve. Othertimes it feels like the entire inside is being twisted like wringing out a wet washcloth. Then there's the heat! The right breast is just tender and aches as the pain bounces from node to node through the breast and up the shoulder blade to underneath the arm. Both feel like they are going to pop! So I'm sure that I will be able to "not worry about it" as I drag these boobs along with me where ever I go without an end in sight. I am going out to buy a DD bra (from a C!) Aww, forget the bra, I'm just going to get a wheelbarrow! (Sorry about the sarcasm. I'm not feeling like I'm getting much help here from the medical profession and I'm a teeny tiny bit frustrated. Can you tell?...or maybe its just those dang hormones...they have really kicked up since my hysterectomy)

Destiny50 · July 2008

And a further note... I realize I initially posted in the wrong area and most of you ladies are fighting or have fought for your lives. I knew that you would probably understand better what I am going through than most other types of BC (not to minimize any cancers!) I'm a writer and after I find out what this is, no matter what this is, I'm going to try to get a story published in a variety of places about what I and you have gone through so that others will learn about this "unknown" cancer. Whether I have it or not, I feel very strongly that I have gone through this for a reason. If it is not IBC then the message is even clearer. If it is, I'm going to send the published copies to every GP, ob/gyn and surgeon in San Diego! God Bless you all!

ateepay · July 2008

I'm going to stick my 2 cents in here (again) if you don't mind. I would be taking that enlarged breast to a dermatologist and DEMAND a skin biopsy to RULE OUT IBC. Many IBC patients have been diagnosed or proved to be cancer free from a dermatologist. Since IBC is in the derma, makes sense huh!

But that is just me.

I'm so sorry you are going through this, and I can almost hear the anger in your words,

Nobody is Listening is too true with some doctors.

If I can help, let me know.

Destiny50 · July 2008

Patti,

Thanks! So when he said it might be "derm" maybe I should be happy! He'll refer me to a dermatologist. Okay. That's a great idea. I'll think positively about that. (His thought was that the punch biopsy was all I needed and since it only showed inflammation, I was done with that!)

Since I unloaded before, the nurse from the DR who was filling in for my GP called me twice and asked me if I still wanted a referral since I went to the surgeon today. I told her I wanted to see a BREAST surgeon. Unfortunately that DR doesn't take emergencies. She also said that the other nurse who has worked with the guy I saw today before says he hesitates to make any diagnosis until he has all the test results in.

Tomorrow's the day for the diag mammogram! OUch!

Your input helped me a lot! Thanks!

ateepay · July 2008

Ahh....the famous 'squish-o-gram' as I call it. Ouch is right.

I guess I don't understand why they would put you through this, instead of doing a skin biopsy... but then I am no doctor. they quit doing mammograms on my daughter as soon as they realized it wouldn't show anything. Please let us know how you are.

Laughing Thinking good thoughts in your direction.

ibcspouse · July 2008

Hope all is well, but question all. My wife had punch biopsy in oct 07, said no cancer, she was dx in feb 08, after core biopsy with IBC. By then it was bilateral, the oct biopsy was misread. Had slides sent to MD Anderson, and they saw the tumor eboli. Most pathologist have not seen IBC and can mis read. She is now being treated at the IBC Clinic at MD Anderson. Good luck

Destiny50 · July 2008

Dear IBCspouse,

I've added you both to my prayer book. Please keep in touch

Maria

Destiny50 · July 2008

Update:

Mammogram wasn't so bad. Turned up nothing though. Had chest xray and more blood work. Nothing there either. Apparently the biopsy came back suggesting allergy to a med. I talked with my pharmacist and researched myself. Only one med had a possibility of breast swelling and pain. I have taken a low dose for 12 years at least. My Dr called on a Sunday and we talked for awhile. She seems more involved now. She says she also researched the meds and doesn't think that is the problem. She also believes it is not an infection (I finished the antibiotic yesterday). She said she'll refer me to whomever I want. I told her I would pursue UCSD on my dime and she could pursue her referral to a breast surgeon via my inurance and whichever got me in first would win. I awoke with an earache during the night. There is a huge swollen gland underneath my jaw now. It is bothering my tongue and effecting my speech. My foot hurts by the toes. I looked it up. Yep, another node. Today the pain just moves from node to node, all over. I updated the Dr. I'm feeling pretty poorly. I just don't know what to do.Thanks for reading my whining.

Caseysmom · July 2008

Maria:

I do not know what to say only that I will keep you in my prays.

Hugs

Laura

TenderIsOurMight · July 2008

So sorry Maria that you are having such involvement in different places with swollen nodes to the extent too that you describe.

Only one thing to do: push your doctor for an emergency referral to the best comprehensive cancer center around you, and consider sending the biopsy specimen for second pathologist reading as ibcspouse urged. Ideally this would be to the same site as your sought referral, but as IBC can be tricky, some may recommend MD Anderson due to their focus on IBC.

Second path readings are common and most insurance companies support them too. Your doctor can initiate them online at major cancer centers, such as MD Anderson, Dana Farber, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. You just ship them the slides overnight, with initial reading per their packing protocol and the second opinion is done in a timely manner. This would be my first recommendation as you get the breast surgeon consultation in place.

Here is the list of Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the US:

http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/cancer-centers-list.html

and specifically the USDC site you mentioned:

Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center

University of California, San Diego
Dennis A. Carson, M.D.
Director3855 Health Sciences Drive, Room 2247
La Jolla, California 92093-0658
Tel: (858) 822-1222
Fax: (858) 822-1207

Good luck,Tender

billiegirl · July 2008

My case sounds a lot like yours as far as symptoms. PAIN, reddnes, swelling with flu like symptoms. Neg mammogram. Neg ultrasound. Punch biopsy showed only inflammation. Antibiotics didn't help. I pursued for 3 months. Was treated like a "nut case". Finally had an MRI which showed 1 "tiny, tiny" tumor. However I had 31 positive lymph nodes!!!! They say it was IDC but I still think it was IBC and rad onc did rads as if that were so. Please be persistant and take care. I am now 3.5 yrs NED.

Destiny50 · July 2008

I now have an appointment with a reputable breast specialist for Monday. I have an appointment with Moore's UCSD Cancer Center breast surgeon on Thursday, July 24. I had yet another blood count done yesterday. Nothing to report.

I have ridges on my breast. Not on the red (which is now light brown) marks. Below them. Seems to be getting more predominant but I don't think it looks like an orange peel. It is more like the imression of the teeth marks from a child's bite and with no discoloration. Then there is an indented ridge above and below. I'm so tired and weak. I have fibromyalgia yes. but I'm dragged out! I have to lie down often. I'm thinking this goes with the swollen glands. I'm so tired of this! My business is going down the tubes! Its amazing to me that I could feel so rotton, be in such pain, willing to use my own money (ok, my parent's money) to fund a specialist and I still have to wait to be seen! Cry

mrs_X_Sunneedazee · July 2008

Oh you poor dear!!! I so understand the fatigue and feeling rotten etc, while trying to figure out what is going on with your body. Not to mention the stress and the worry!!!! I am so glad that you will be seeing a specialist, that is finally made the difference in my cancer being diagnosed and treatment rapidly commenced. Of course we hope it is not cancer, but we need to have answers.

FYI- with my mammo, they only saw little dots all over my breast that looked like sugar sprinkled. However, I had a lymph node the size of an almond, and that was very evident in the mammo, so they did an ultrasound and then did a biopsy of that node. Then they did a punch biopsy in one of the concentrated areas shown on the mammo.

Destiny50 · July 2008

Update for your interest:

Just entered into week 8.

I went to UCSD' Moores Cancer Center. She didn't think my breast was bigger than the other ( I found this out in her report.She also reported that I was not allergic to any medicines. I am allergic to ALL NSAIDS which was told to her intern and her nurse. ) She said, and I have her written report to document this, that my breast wasn't "swollen and shrunken" like IBC. Okay then...

Breast surgeon Dr. was the most pleasing Dr. so far. He also said it wasn't swollen and red like IBC but he wouldn't rule it out. He wants to work on other possibilities and then rule it out-the backwards approach. I am getting an MRI tomorrow and I am having another biopsy on Friday, when I head into week 9 of this journey.

I had an alergic reaction to something on Wednesday at 2 am. I took benedryl but I had trouble breathing. So I went to ER.The EKG was normal so I was relieved about that. I ran my problem by the ER Doctor and I was in a lot of pain at the time. He said I was already being treated and he couldn't do annything for me. He offered me pain meds.

On Monday, another red mark appeared , expanding the first. I have found that if I sit perfectly still and calm I don't have pain- or at least that worked yesterday.

CAn you believe this???

I am ok with NOT having IBC. The plan now is MRI tomorrow and if it shows swollen glands than h ave one biopsied. Otherwise, another skin biopsy on Friday.

lauraof5 · July 2008

you need an MRI of your breast right away..the sooner the better.

asap..I will pray it is not IBC.

laura

Biopsy Results: Inflammation. Is this good?

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