Can someone please confirm how they diagnose IBC ?
I’ve been told by my breast care team that there is “Suspicion that this may be either inflammatory cancer or Paget’s disease”. They have therefore taken further biopsies of my right areola and also skin in the right upper outer quadrant.
Now I am really confused as I was DX with BC 2 weeks ago and had biopsies taken then and have those results. Wouldn’t those biopsies show IBC or do they have to do different tests ?
My biopses said “Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Grade 3 with vascular invasion” and also “lymph node metastatic carcinoma”.
Is there a reason I don’t know about as to why she’s taken a skin sample and further biopsy ?
I rang my BCN today and she’s got me rather hopeful because she said something that suggested she thought the first biopses would of shown Inflammatory results - but then I asked if that was her experience from previous IBC patients and she admitted that she’s NEVER dealt with one ;-(
Here’s the BCC publications about IBC and Pagets which you may find helpful, please also call our helpliners for more information on 0808 800 6000, the lines are open 9-5 weekdays and 9-2 Saturdays:
I was diagnosed with IBC in October 2011 and am currently undergoing chemo treatment prior to mx. They told me when I got my results that it was IBC I am not sure if they can tell this from the biopsy they took. I don’t know that they do anything differently to diagnose IBC but if you have had the results of your biopsy then surely they would have said then. Do you have another appointment with your consultant? Waiting to find out what the plan is is the hardest part, hopefully you can get this sorted soon, IBC is rare but there are a few of us on here so maybe someone else will have more info.
Sending you hugs, and try not to worry too much (easier said than done, I know).
Hi Angelherts,
I had both pagents and IBC, they could tell by the look of my skin on presentation, my nipple had dry skin on it and my breast had ‘orange peel’ appearance, but they also did biopsy’s to confirm IBC.
As has been said there are a few of us on here with IBC so don’t be afraid to ask questions , IBC is treated with chemo first then surgery and rads , hope you get some answers from your team soon.
Jean
Thought I should post an update to explain that my test results showed that I did have Inflammation in the skin / nipple but NOT cancerous and therefore NOT IBC.
So it appears that I had an infection on top of the cancer and my BCN said it could even of been my body reacting to the cancer and affectively shouting out “hello - we have a problem here”.
Had surgery to remove area and nodes and due to start chemo in March.