question about IBC ...scared

[shadowkat]

Hi I posted a while back about some patches of tiny red /purpley splotches of thread viens that I had on my right breast that seem to get worse as the day wears on.Sometimes they look really feint and other times look quite purpley red...i can best describe it like a meshy network of tiny viens.
They dont hurt and are not hot at all and if i feel the skin there is nothing tethering it to the underlying breast tissue..
I have put on about 4 stone in weight over the past 2 or so years and my breasts have gotten alot larger esp my right one (this has always been a couple of cup sizes bigger than my left)
I have also seen 2 doctors who both have said there is nothing to worry about....are this patches a symptom of IBC?? I have really freaked myself out by reading all the information availiable on the internet....many thanks

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear shadowkat, Symptoms associated with inflammatory breast cancer are similar to what you might see with infection; redness, swelling, pain, warm to touch.  This does not sound like what you are describing.  
It is not unusual to see veins beneath the skin, particularly if you have a light complexion.  With the added weight these may be more prominent and as become more so as the day goes on.  Although not actually seeing and evaluating, this is speculation.

[shadowkat]

Thank you very much for your quick reply I think i was worried because they dont go away entirely they just change from very pale to dark.I think it frightened me because it looks so awful sometimes
Do you know what would cause these patches of meshy tiny purple viens??would It be due to weight gain or say a incorrect fitting bra?and will they ever go away completely??And when you say ibc usually presents as a uniformed redness is that like a totally red area and would this also feel hot to the touch and look like an inflammtion...What changes should I be concerned about?Sorry for all the questions I suffer with severe anxiety and this is somthing Im very worried about
many thanks once again

[surgeon]

the best evaluation would be from one who is able directly to observe the area: since two doctors have done so and feel it's ok, it most likely is. Moreover, what you describe doesn't sound like IBC: in general, it causes a fairly uniform redness of the skin, along with thickening of the skin. Purplish veins doesn't sound suspicious. However, again, you have done the right thing by having direct examination, rather than relying on an online opinion.

[surgeon]

I can't really comment on what the patches are without seeing them. But by description, as I said, I think it's pretty safe to say it's not IBC. Yes, IBC typically looks the way an infection looks: red, hot skin, often tender -- which is why diagnosis is often delayed while antibiotics are tried. Breasts, particularly if large, often have prominent veins on the surface. I'm assuming, since two docs have agreed it's ok, that it's in that category.