Changed with an MRI

needtotalk

Changed with an MRI

needtotalk

Hi.  I was just diagnosed last Wed (16th).  Yes, still in shock.  After my biopsy I was told I had a lump that was 1.2cm and Grade1.  When I went to the surgeon, she found something suspicious on my other breast.  I am going for an MRI, and through this forum I hear of so many things that change as a result of the MRI.  ie. size of tumour, how many you have.  It's as if the ultrasound and biopsy results are meaningless.  It scares me what they may find on the MRI.  Is there anyone out there where the biopsy/ultrasound has been exactly what is on the MRI?  thanks.

suzfive

Hi needtotalk,

I am sorry you had to join us here - but it is a great place to come for information and support.

My ILC was diagnosed in December 2005. It was 3.5 cm on the ultrasound and 3.5 cm on the MRI. A week later when I had my surgery it was still 3.5 cm. I had MRIs of both breasts and nothing else showed up. It is true with lobular that sometimes the tumor can be bigger or smaller on the MRI or more areas will show up. This did not happen to me - don't know how common it is.

Sending you hugs and prayers for a good MRI.

Suz

VBG

I was diagnosed with ductal/lobular invasive 1.5 cm in May of '06.  The initial mass was picked up on ultra sound and MRI confirmed this.  In Dec 2007 I had a screening MRI as a follow up to my mammogram/ultrasound which were clear.  MRI picked up a 6mm mass.  Turns out this "mass" was visible on my May '06 but at the time "they" decided it was benign.  I have just found out that there is another smaller mass that they now also think is cancer but initially thought was benign!  The new 6mm mass was ILC.

All I can say is to not be afraid of the MRI results, knowledge is power.  I actually demanded both of the MRIs I got, none of my docs thought there was a need.  The new mass was only detected by the MRI and I am grateful that it was found....it may have been years before they found it on ultrasound.

bean4865

Hi needtotalk, My ILC was 8cm. according to MRI. After surgery it ended up only being 2.1cm. with extensive LCIS. Some people have there tumor show up larger and some smaller on MRI. Best of luck to you. You will make it through and it will all be behind you before you know it.

Little-G

My MRI also showed something on my "good" breast, I had a stereotactic bx which turned out to be OK.  So..there is a good chance yours will too.  Let us know!

g

billsgirl

My biopsy and ultrasound indicated a 1.7cm ILC in my right breast. My MRI indicated a 6cm with other smaller masses in the right and a smaller mass in the left. I panicked! I opted for a bilateral and have not regretted the decision. But the surgery pathology came back as a 2cm ILC with extensive LCIS in the right, and nothing in the left. Just before surgery, my radiologist said that she'd be surprised if I needed radiation because she felt that MRIs overread BC and that she believed the original biopsy would be a more likely diagnosis. Well, she was right - but not one of 4 surgeons ever told me what she told me.

I'm now 2 treatments through chemo, feeling much better than I ever expected and plan my implant exchange in May. My advise is get more than one opinion, and see a radiation oncologist and oncologist as well before you make your well educated decisions. I found that each had slightly different take on things.

needtotalk

Thanks so much for all of your input.  My MRI is scheduled for this Saturday, Feb 2nd.  I am nervous about it, as it seems you can almost expect anything.  Has anyone heard of the Grade changing?  Mine was a Grade 1 on the biopsy report, buy my surgeon said this could change when they remove it and look at it again.  She said there are more changes of grade with IDC than with ILC.  Does anyone know anymore than this.  thanks!!!

bean4865

Hi Billsgirl

Great to hear you are doing so well with your treatment. Mine starts Feb 8. I am nervous. What kind of chemo do you take. I will have the cytoxan/taxotere every 3 weeks for 12 weeks. Do you get real tired or anything. I've heard most people do. I have tried to save as many sick days as possible for after my treatment in case I'm feeling really beat up.

SLH

When I was diagnosed with ILC + LCIS in one breast, I made the decision (for many reasons) to get a bilateral, even though my tumor was small.  But there were suspicious shadows on my good breast that they wanted to biopsy before my surgery. The dr said if the spots turned out to be cancerous, that she would not only be taking the breast, but removing the sentinel node + other nodes on that side as well.

The shadows turned out to be benign, I didn't have nodes taken out on that side, but it made me more convinced that a bilateral was the right way to go, because I would constantly be needing needle biopsies on my remaining lumpy "good" breast.

sally 

wallycat

My grade changed.

I went from a Grade 1 to a grade 2...still a stage 1.

I was told that because the biopsy is such a small amount of tissue, a true grade cannot be determined till the lumpectomy or mastectomy.  I have read here that many gals do not receive any grading for their ILC, so I was glad mine was graded.

I also opted for bilateral mastectomy.  My left (healthy) breast was still healthy and clean and my right breast did not have any hidden, multifocal(??) areas.  I do not regret my decision.

nash

My grade changed from a 1 to a 2 also.