Anyone have an MRI core Biopsy? I need one.

shabby6485

Hi everyone,

I am scheduled for an MRI guided core biopsy next tuesday.  This after a linear enhancement was found during an MRI screening.

Anyone have experience with this? If so, what was the outcome?

I am so sick of worrying about this, this whole thing has been going on for a year and I am tired.

My dr said the worse case scenerio would be dcis. I am beside myself with fear.

You guys are great, No one else really understands. 

samiam40

I do not have experience with an MRI biopsy--yet--so I can't contribute any expertise.  I'm sure others with weigh in with that.  I just wanted to commiserate a bit--I saw from one of your prior posts that we both have ADH.  I also got a bad MRI result in both breasts on 12/31 and am waiting for Friday to get my ultrasound-guided biopsy.

 The waiting is really brutal and you are right that no one understands unless they have gone through it.

 What I am trying to do to stay calm is be prepared for the worst.  Xanax helps too.  Hang in there.  We'll get through it together.

-Samiam

shabby6485

Hi Samiam

Thanks for responding.  What did your MRI show?  Did the spots show up on mammo because mine did not.  I wonder why you are having the ulltrasound and not an mri. I'd love to chat.

Shabby 

samiam40

I didn't get a lot of information, as I was totally shocked to be receiving a cell phone call from my doctor at 4:00 pm on New Years Eve. I was on vacation and in the men's underwear section of a department store buying socks for my son when I got the call--very surreal.  Also, I had been 100% positive that the MRI would be fine--so much for intuition.

 Anyway, the only 2 pieces of information that I got from the doctor was that there were suspicious abnormalities on both sides and that the radiologist did not believe it was a false positive.

I'm intrigued by your doctor's comment that the "worst" it could be is DCIS.  On the one hand, that doesn't sound too terrible, right?  On the other, DCIS is not necessarily a picnic based on some of the stories from other women I've been reading.  On the third hand (!), I have also read that MRI is bad at detecting DCIS.  I don't know what to think anymore. 

I'll send this message and then see if I can figure out the private message function to send you my email address so we can chat more if you want. 

Also, I'm sure others will weigh in soon about what to expect at an MRI guided biopsy.

Hang in there--we'll get through it.

-Samiam

Britt

Hi, Shabby -

I had one on New Year's Eve and thankfully it turned out negative!!!! If you want more information (both the good and the not so good) please refer to my post "MRI Guided Biopsies" under "Invasive Ductal Carcinoma" - now, please keep in mind everyone's experience is different!

Good luck and blessings,

Maria

Anonymous

I had one of these, too. The procedure took awhile, and I was groggy afterward since you're given drugs to relax you. I don't remember that the procudre was painful, just uncomrtable because of the position you must lie in. My docs and any literature I read extol the diagnostic abilities of MRI and at the same time note that MRI's do more frequently produce false positives than mammograms. I had had mammo's done (MANY), several of which revealed a local recurrance (DCIS) on the right, and a suspicious area on the left.  The MRI also looked suspicious which led to the guided biopsy, which was negative.

 In cancer terms (all things are relative, right?), DCIS is not so serious. It just means that there are cancerous cells in a milk duct, but they are contained, or "in situ" in that small area. It needs to be removed, since if it's not resolved the cancer will invade (that's what happened with me the first time). If this is your first time, your doctor may recommend a lumpectomy which just removes the cancerous area and some surrounding tissue. A pathologist will examine the surrounding tissue ("margin") to confirm there are no cancer cells outside the DCIS. If there are none, you probably will not need radiation or chemo. This is something only your doctor can tell you for sure.

 Everything about this disease just sucks, from the suspicians, to the testing, waiting, diagnosing, treating, waiting.............hang in there. Ask lots of questions, and don't hesitate to call your doctors office if you want to.  Also, does your doctor's hospital have a Patient Navigator?  These people are godsends, angels.....ask around.

 You're in my prayers.....

Connie 

mich1224

I had an MRI guided biopsy in December (both breasts).  I had a mammo and then biopsy on one breast which found cancer. Once that was found, my dr sent me for MRI to be sure there were no other areas before she did surgery. Well, the MRI showed suspicious areas in cancer breast and in the other. So...MRI guided biopsy was done which didn't find additional cancer, but did find areas in both breasts with atypical ductal hyperplasia. (I had this problem last year and had surgery-but it came back). Thus, I am having bilateral mastectomy on 2/6 with recon. As much as I am not looking forward to this, I am grateful she sent me for the MRI since the original mammo never showed anything in the opposite breast. I wish you the best in the days ahead. Think positive.

Mamie2

Hi ladies. I had a diagnostic mammogram and sonograms on Dec 5 with a lumpectomy (12/10) on my right breast (position 6 o'clock) - five days later. The sonogram showed an area of concern on my left breast and I had to have a stereotactic breast core biopsy (12/23) which was ultrasound guided. The worst part was the injection for numbing. The pathology said it was benign. However I asked her to order an MRI,(12/231) to check for additional areas, since I am in high risk category. I finally went to an oncologist yesterday and after reading all my reports, and the MRI, he is sending me for a second biopsy, NOW ON THE RIGHT breast at three oclock!! These lesions were not found on any of the previous tests! So I may be in for another stereo tactic biopsy on Friday (different hospital with more precise equipment). Not sure if there is a difference between ultrasound guided, and MRI guided...Just remember you can do it - you are a strong brave warrior! Go in there with a calm reserve,  and remember to breathe deep long regular breaths. In my case, I already know my excised lump is cancerous - I'm just praying there isn't more. But if there is, I know what I must do. And I'm working on accepting that without fear.

mooma

 Mamie2

I noticed your post because of your name...Mamie/Mame are my nicknames!  Is that your real name?  I was just diagnosed, as well and have a similar story.

I was diagnosed Nov. 10th.  I had a stereotactic biopsy on two areas of my left breast.  One diagnosed as invasive duct carcinoma and they found nothing on the other spot.  I had an MRI on the benign one and another mammogram, ultra sound and another biopsy.  They all came back neg. The first biopsy I had was after the MRI and the OR that did it missed the spot.  She then did it guided by ultrasound and got it but it came back benign.  The cancer wasn't detected until my OS did a biopsy during my lumpectomy on another cancer.  Very confusing and I don't want to scare you I just want everyone to take advantage of as much info as they can get so nothing goes amiss.  On the morning of my surgery, Christmas Eve morning, my surgeon (who was my second opinion surgeon I decided to go with...thank you Lord)  decided to take another piece of the second tumor....just for reassurance.  It turned out to be cancerous.  Now I will be having a mastectomy and recon. 

You will be in my thoughts and prayers Friday! 

Mandy1313

Hi Shabby,

I wondered if you wanted to know about the procedure for the MRI core biopsy.  I had one of those and, for me, it was not a big deal.  The worst part was going in and out of the MRI tube since I am a little claustrophobic.  From what I recall, they put an IV in for a dye in my right hand.  Then I went in the tube and they found the spot.  They took me out of the tube and gave me alot of local anesthesia so I did not feel a thing.  They placed the needle in the area. Put me back in the tube to be sure it was the right area, then took me out and took their sample.  The radiologist (who was the head of the department) was so kind that he gave me his cell phone number and  told me to call in two days.  I did not believe him so I called his office and they asked whether I had his cell phone. Apparently he always does that for people who are waiting for stressful news and he took my call while he was at a meeting. 

Well this time I got good news--it was nothing. But in the past my MRI guided needle localization had found a tiny cancer, not visible on a mammography or ultra sound.  So while it is not alway good news, it is always better to find a cancer when it is tiny.

Most of these things turn out to be nothing, so I am sending you positive vibes that yours will also be nothing.

All the best.

Mandy

Mamie2

Hi Mooma.

I had that biopsy Friday Jan. 9, and on Monday my doctor called to tell me it was negative. Now I am scheduled for my sentinel node biopsy this Wednesday (21st). The breast onco surgeon is also going to re-excise the cavity where the plastic surgeon cleared only a margin of .1 cm. He wants a wider margin. Mooma, I don't know if the doc is going to take anymore out of my breast, but for the first time in two or three weeks I thought since the biopsy was negative I might not have to do the mastectomy.

mooma

Mamie2,  I hope all has gone well for you.  Didn't they do the sentinel node biopsy when they did the lumpectomy?  I can't believe all the different treatment procedures I hear...I guess you had that done last week...how did it turn out?

Mamie2

Hi Mooma.

The first surgery was a lumpectomy by a plastic surgeon. I was "sure" it was not cancer!! The radiologist's recommendation was stereotactic biopsy but I didn't know that until after I saw his report. (order and keep your reports ladies). When I finally went to see a breast cancer surgeon, he assured me he would go back in to the site to make sure it was clean. He also did the nuclear trace and sentinel node biopsy (they were clean!!) He found 2 smaller lesions left in the margins, and then cleared an even wider margin. That was last Wednesday... so I'm still a bit sore. I guess we women just go about this thinking the best for ourselves. I was booked for a trip to Chicago and I just wanted "this lump outta there!" I had no idea the course of my life was taking a new direction!! And here I am today. Still feeling like a ton of bricks just landed on me. I have to realize that I have to accept and cope with this. The med onco told me today that I should be seen every three months for the next 3 years!!!! What the????? 

Mooma when is your surgery scheduled? What kind or recon are you deciding to do? 

mooma

Mamie2...My surgery is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 23rd; that would be a bm.  I'm seeing a 2nd ps on the 5th and I'm hoping he's the one!  I've heard so many good things about him.  The first ps I saw suggested immediate implants, which is ok with me but I had the feeling he didn't have much experience with any of the other procedures because of the way he answered my questions.  So, at this point I'm not really sure of the type of recon I'll be having.

I have all my reports...right from the beginning of this crazy journey.  That's excellent advice for everyone.

Mamie2

Am still trying to figure out what my staging is. This is another reason why its so important for all of us to understand the written reports. For instance, my first operative report said that the mass was somewhat fixed to the anterior chest wall. The pathology of that tumor said there was lymphovascular invasion. These biological features should also be taken into consideration. I'm going to call my med onco in the morning. 

I'm in too much pain with this SNBiopsy incision. I had no pain the first week, and now its practically unbearable. Sleeping with a heating pad now; I gave up on the ice.

mooma, best of luck. i'm pulling for ya. 

Mamie2

Thought i should update that last post, as my doctors staged me as a lla. Still in pain and going to see the dr tomorrow. Maybe a hematoma under the incision?  Drs say i might be a candidate for mamosite. I'll find out next week at my first rad appt. Who ever thought I'd be looking forward to THAT?!

Bless. 

desteca1

Hi Shabby and Lady Warriors,

My name is Carol Ann DeStefano who is 42 years old and do need to have a MRI Core Biopsy.  I got my MRI done on July 20 and just got the results from my doctor on September that I needed to  contact my doctor's office. After a return call to the office, I was advised that I needed a MRI Core Biopsy on my right side.  I had finally received a call from my doctor on Friday, September 4 that the MRI indicated two spots  were found near my arms.  Needless to say, I am still waiting to hear from Imaging center to schedule this MRI Core Biopsy.  I am definitely very concerned.  Please tell me how your results went.

desteca1

Dear Lady Warrior Friends,

I received the results based on 9/16/09 MRI Core Biopsy and was found to be benign on my right breast.  The radiologist took fragments of benign breast tissue with fibrocystic changes including stromal fibrosis, cysts and schlerosing adenosis. The worst experience I had when getting the MRI Core Biopsy was getting a wide needle in my right breast.  I felt that as though, I was ready to pass out on the table, starting to sweat and could not wait until I drink some cold like "orange juice or water".   It is very nerve wracking whenever you go for mammography or follow-up procedure to find out a certain calcification was found in your breast.  When I listen to your stories, I know when the time comes, I will be strong enough to handle anything.   God bless to you all.  Your stories are very inspiring!

Myc1961

I’m scheduled for a mri biopsy Wednesday I’m terrified as the mri lit up in three places 2 on left side one on right side..

MTwoman

Myc, sorry that you're here with breast health concerns! This thread is pretty old - no one has posted in 8 years - so you may want to start a thread to get more support/input/questions answered. Good luck!

tobie2

Dear All,

I'm new to this forum. My saga started about 7 weeks ago when I went in for my routine screening mammogram and the radiologist felt there was a slight enlargement of an architectural distortion (left side) that has been looked at several times in the past. The diagnostic mammo and ultrasound were inconclusive so I was sent in for an MRI. The MRI revealed abnormal enhancement on the left side and several masses, one irregular in shape on the right side. Yesterday I had my MRI-guided biopsy and I was completely unprepared for just how painful it was. I told the technician from the outset that the compression plates were putting unbearable pressure on my underarms and ribs. She ignored me and told me I would be getting a numbing agent, which I did 25 minutes later after the first round in the MRI, but what was hurting me were not my breasts but my ribs. Today, my sides and ribs are black and blue and I bled heavily on one side for several hours. Is this normal for a core biopsy? My nerves are so fraught at the moment. The need for test on the right side already took me by surprise. The uncertainty is already so stressful. Feeling bruised and damaged from the biopsy is just too much to bear.

tobie2

I just posted about this. I just had mir core biopsies on the left and the right side yesterday. My one word of advice to you would be to tell the technician immediately and forcefully if you feel your position isn't right or you are in pain. Other than that breathe deep, think of a happy moment and give yourself a few days to recover. Good luck to you!

Anonymous

I know that this is an old thread but I wanted to post in case someone ever googles "MRI Biopsy." I had one and it wasn't that bad. You may ask and they usually offer a prescription-one pill sedative. I had a MRI done and then needed another one to check something in the other breast with a biopsy. I was more scared the first time in the MRI. I think it is just fear of the unknown. The second time in the MRI, when I had the biopsy, I was more calm.

Just think of the MRI as something that is helping you and not something you are "stuck" inside of. :-)

green71364

Had a MRI guided needle core biopsy yesterday. It was virtually painless! Only thing that was a little bothersome was having to lie still for an hour or so.