Lymphoedema and skin biopsy

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I had a full axillary clearance and take warnings about skin damage to the affected arm possibly leading to lymphoedema very seriously. I am therefore concerned because I have a skin condition which my GP does not recognise and I am therefore being sent to a specialist for a biopsy. I have this strange raised red patch on the elbow of my affected arm and another on my leg. I’m pretty sure it is the same condition so I am wondering whether I should refuse to have a biopsy taken from my affected arm? Any ideas or suggestions welcome.

AlexG

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Hi Alex

What rotten luck that it is your ‘at-risk’ arm.

I think you should try to get them to leave your arm alone if you can, especially as they can easily use your leg instead. Also, can your bcn give you any advice?

I’ve never had a skin biopsy - is it very invasive?

It might help to take along some official printouts - NICE guidelines, etc on good practice.

It might also be worth contacting the Lymphoedema Support Network
(lymphoedema.org/lsn/) to see if they have any advice for situations such as these.

If I think of anything else, I’ll post again.

X

S

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Hi Bahons,

Good advice - thank you. I wrote to the help-line and they gave the same advice. I went today, explained about the BC etc. and had a chunk taken out of my LEG - hurrah! They still can’t tell me what it is so have sent sample off for analysis. Next appointment 8th December. In the meantime I’ve been sent for blood tests and will have stitch removed next week.

Don’t let the beggers grind you down…

AlexG

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Hi
Really interested to read your post…I’ll tell you my story…
Had treatment for Invasive lobular , and all treatment finished in June 09. I also had to have full axillary node clearance. I now have lymphodema in my “bad” breast.
Anyway 2 weeks ago it stared getting very red .itchy & hot …a slight rash… GP diagnosed Cellulits and put me on 4 gms a day of Fluxocillin. 10 days later no change so went to see the Oncologist on Wednesday… she said needed a skin biopsy. So Thursday back to the surgeon who said definitely not cellulitus but gave me the biopsy… back on Tuesday for the results & stiches removed.
Poor hubby is terrified that somehow I now have IBC as the images are identical!
Take care all.
Bethy
x