worried about my six month follow up MRI

marytim

I had a right mastectomy in November 2005 for Stage I carcinoma. I had a .4 mm. lump in the lower breast. After two lumpectomies, I decided on a mastectomy and breast reconstruction with expander implants. In September 2006 I had a moderately high silicone implant placed and augmentation on the right breast with a smaller implant. I've been on tamoxifen for l8 months. My cancer did not show up on mammogram...I felt it myself on exam. The plan was for me to have a mammogram every six months alternating with an MRI the following six months. Well six months ago I had the mammogram and it was inconclusive as I have dense breasts. Last week I had a MRI of my left breast (the non-cancerous breast). The doctor called me this week and said they found a .5 cm. lump in the lower outer quadrant of the left breast (same size and location as my cancerous tumor on the right). I am seeing my oncologist tomorrow and my breast surgeon next week. The radiologists recommended a follow up MRI in six months. Why should I wait six months?? What if it is cancer???? I've already had surgery on the left breast with two fibroadenomas removed before. I hate to have another biopsy. Plus I doubt I can have a stereotatic needle biopsy as I have the implant on that side now. I'm stressed. Any advice??

Mary

Beesie

Mary,

I'm sorry you're going through this. We had a similar diagnosis, and the same surgery at around the same time. So far, I've had two follow-up mammograms on my "good" breast, both of which have been fine. However, because my cancer did show up on a mammogram, my doctor isn't sending me for MRIs unless there is something unclear about the mammogram. So for me, the mammogram is all I get, for now, anyway.

I agree with you that waiting 6 months doesn't make any sense at all. You've already had BC; any irregularity should be immediately checked out. As for the stereotactic biopsy, I have an implant in my good breast too, and my understanding is that it is still possible to try a stereotactic biopsy - they might not be able to do it, but they can try. That might be a good first step for you.

Did the oncologist provide any better or different information yesterday?

Good luck and please post about how it's going.

rubytuesday

Mary Tim, Sounds very familiar to me! My cancerous lumps (3 in all)also didn't show on mammograms because of my very dense breasts. I had my first mammogram post reconstruction/augmentation and was called back for an US because with the digital mammograms they saw 'something' but weren't sure what. After the US the Dr. (same Dr. who read my mammogram actually did my US), mentions casually that I need a needle biopsy and goes on to say that they will be very careful but can't guarantee that they won't 'hit' my implant. Long story made short, I flipped, she says maybe I'd be a good candidate for a MRI with results pending for the biopsy and a repeat mammogram in 6 months. I had the MRI, the spots didn't "light up" and the results came back "probably 2 cysts". Right now, I don't know who to contact and if I'm having another (worthless as far as I'm concerned) mammogram in 6 months or WHAT?????? I talked to the PA at my PS's office this week and she recommends that I see my breast surgeon to sort this out. YIKES!!!