Question: 6 days ago while showering I noticed a red spot on my breast at about the 10 o'clock location. It wasn't raised nor did it itch and about the size of a quarter. Just a smooth area of red skin. I made an appointment same day to see my GP. He suggested fungal infection. Given the area in which the mark was located I felt uncomfortable with that diagnosis and asked for a referral to Dermatology for a skin punch biopsy. I was seen at dermatology the following day (now day three) and a punch biopsy was collected. The red spot grew to the size of a 50 cent piece the day after the biopsy and has remained stable in size since then.The biopsy was on a Friday so the following Monday I called for the results. I was told "the pathology is consistent with an arthropod bite". I asked if this ruled out inflammatory breast cancer and the answer was "at this point we see strong evidence that this is an external irritation and no atypical cells were identified and the cells that were identified were those consistent with a bug bite or other external irritant". The advice was that if it changes or spreads come back and we will do further biopsies to try and identify the possibility of IBC. I completely understand the need to cover ones liability but I feel very confused as to the sureness of the first biopsy findings and the continued suggestion that IBC cannot be completely ruled out. I am a 46 year old woman of average build, generally healthy although I do have fibromyalgia and low thyroid, No history of breast disease nor breast cancer in the family. The red area has never presented as itchy at all, it is smooth to the touch and has not really spread beyond the secondary spread post biopsy. The rash looks like vast numbers of capillaries at the skin surface when viewed closely. The red seems to be fading to a bruised look today (day 5). I have no other breast symptoms outside that which I described. Given the current information, what is the likelihood that this could be IBC? Should I seek additional testing?

That is reassuring news. Were you able to view the pictures? To you, would you consider the "rash area" inconsistent to that which would be seen with IBC? Might you have any suggestion as to what the reddened area may be caused from? And last question, do you feel that the results from the single punch biopsy are conclusive enough to feel relatively confidant that this is not related to IBC?

Apologies for the repetitive questions. IBC is such a frighting beast and if this was in any possible way even remotely likely to be IBC I would love to be that person who caught it so early that it had not spread yet.