Why have these tests please

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pattimay
pattimay Member Posts: 72
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer
Why have these tests please
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  • pattimay
    pattimay Member Posts: 72
    edited January 2010

    I was diagnosed with ADH and ALH after having an excisional biopsy in December.  Surgeon said it was severe atypia but it was in the middle and he got all of it.  They were on the fence about it being DCIS but after sending it out to Beth Israel in Mass. it came back just the atypical cells.  I am scheduled for an MRI with contrast bilateral and ultrasound next month.  I know that I'm under close observation now but wondering what radiologist or surgeon would be looking for only three months after the surgery??  This all started with suspicious microcalcifications on spot mammo.  Thank you ladies for all the information you've already given me.

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited January 2010

    What the radiologist is looking for is any increase in the number of calcifications in your breast (if any were left after the excisional biopsy) and any change in the pattern of those calcifications (i.e. if they now form a more suspicious pattern).  If all your calcs were removed during the surgery, then the radiologist is looking to see whether or not any new calcs have developed, and if so, whether they form a suspicious pattern.  These tests so soon after your surgery are the 'safety check' to confirm that nothing more serious is going on that ADH and ALH.

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  • pattimay
    pattimay Member Posts: 72
    edited January 2010

    Thank you Beesie for your reply with this information.  I'm concerned that the MRI will show something new.  Does this happen very often that after excisional Mri shows missed atypia or new suspicious calcifications and I would need more surgery so soon after the last?  Thank you again. I guess from now on I will always be anxious before mammo and mri's before I get results.  

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited January 2010

    pattimay,

    As I mentioned, these tests that are done 3 - 6 months after a biopsy are simply the "safety check" to make sure that nothing was missed.  Most of the time, these tests turn up nothing new or concerning.  Hopefully that will be the case for you!

    Good luck! 

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  • mawhinney
    mawhinney Member Posts: 1,377
    edited January 2010

    Every 6 months my BS has me alternate between a mammo and and mri.  That way I am getting some sort of screening every 6 months. I'm happy to get the tests for some extra peace of mind.

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