Might have two primary sites

Kassylou

Hi,



I am new to the forum but not to breast cancer. My mother and best friend were diagnosed last year. I had a biopsy December 4, 2012 which showed dcis. Then after meeting with the surgeon, I had genetic testing ( no results yet) and an MRI. The MRI showed an area of concern in the other breast. Needless to say I was shocked! I have looked for info on bilateral breast cancer, two primary sites, etc but can't find anything. The biopsy is scheduled for December 31, 2012. Have any of you experienced this?



Kassylou

Nurse_Lizzie

Kassylou



Oh yes, I had exactly the same experience, and believe you will find a number of women who also did. It is not unusual for MRI to show "junk" in both breasts. Because my DCIS was too large for lumpectomy, I needed a UMX. Once the MRI showed the stuff in the other breast, I opted for a bilateral. I did not have the other breast biopsied first. In the end my "healthy" breast had precancerous changes, so I'm really happy it was found before my surgery.



So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. A rotten time of year, for sure.



Prayers and hugs for you.



Lizzie

Kassylou

Thanks nurse Lizzie,



I would like a bilateral mastectomy. People tell me that is overdoing it but I wanted it before the MRI. I have very large breasts g cup, and hate them. I was saving for a reduction in two years and this beat me to it. I am hoping that it is not cancer but as far as my health goes, Murphy has been an optimist.



Thanks again!

ballet12

I also had DCIS in the first breast and something that showed up on MRI in the other breast.  it was initially given a BI-RADS score of 4a (requiring biopsy), but the second hospital (a well-known cancer treatment facility) repeated the MRI and gave the area of concern a BI-RADS 3, so it is just being watched.  I am actually not particularly worried about it.  Unfortunately, if you read these boards, there are many people who ultimately have two primaries (one in each breast), although not necessarily diagnosed at the same time.  If one is found to be BRCA positive, that tremendously increases the probability of a second breast primary in the contralateral breast.  In fact, one of the "qualifications" for BRCA testing is two breast primaries.  About MRI's, however, just remember that they are super-sensitive but have low specificity, so they are likely to pick up many things that are not cancer.  Best of luck on your second biopsy.

CTMOM1234

Yes, I experienced much what you are now. After a stereo. biopsy confirmed grade 2 dcis, I had genetic testing (thankfully negative result) and an mri, which like you, detected "something" on the other side. I then had an mri-led biopsy and thankfully the something was a false positive -- very very common with mris.  This testing and waiting phase is so so so stressful, it really it the hardest part of the journey. Wishing you favorable test and mri results as well!

LAstar

My MRI also showed an area of concern in the other breast.  I didn't like the thought of monitoring every 6 months and going through this stress indefinitely or finding cancer at some point in the future (which is rare but I was not feeling like an odds beater), so I had a BMX.  The MRI apparently gave false positive results on the other side, but I have no regrets about have a PMX, especially since I had F-cup breasts.  One of the silver linings of this awful year is reducing my recurrence risk while sizing down to a C cup.  Staying symmetric was important to me, and I could not imagine having any surgery on the other size that wouldn't reduce my recurrence risk.  I have given all my expensive huge bras away to well-endowed girlfriends and just bought a stretchy $12 wisp of a bra for my SGAP-reconstructed breasts.  When life gives you lemons, make a really strong lemon drop. 

Kassylou

Thank you ladies.



I am laying in bed and cant sleep. I gave not slept much since diagnosis. You all made me smile. I feel like all I do is reassure others that everything will be fine. I wish I could fast forward to surgery day. I have not been blessed with patience.



My husband has been great. He is pretty quiet generally. He has been so helpful. He knows that I am trying to be positive but it is hard.



LAstar, I am large busted as well a g cup. I wanted to have a reduction in 2 years and am also afraid of not being symmetrical.



I will have to see what my MRI score is. I did not even know to ask. I have done cancer education for many years to newly diagnosed people but feel like I am lost. I hope I helped them because what I am finding out and learning is all so scary.

LAstar

You really will get through it!  I do feel a little different from all of it, but I'm still me and I'm back to a productive, busy, happy, full life.  The decision-making and waiting process is so hard, so much more stressful than recovering from surgery.  Give yourself some breaks from worry.  Hot baths and long walks are really helpful!  

Kassylou

Thanks lastar. I have taken breaks and told some friends that I am cancered out when they ask if there is smy bees or if a date has been set for surgery. They are ok with that and don't pry. A lot of my friends are nurses so they get it.



I am trying to stay busy.

Kassylou

Woo boo. The right breast biopsy was negative. Whew!!

LAstar

Whew! Great news!!!

Kassylou

Yes, and they said the genetic tests were negative! I see the dr next week to schedule surgery and follow up with the genetic counselor. Hard to believe the mammo was 11/8, follow up mammo 11/19. Biopsy 12/4. Now surgery. I don't know if this was a long time or not but it sure seemed fast to me, especially with 3 holidays thrown in the mix.

3mom

Hello gals- been following this feed.  I am in same boat.  Had new fibroademoma seen on mammo and u/s 11/14/12 but looked different than other fibro's that I have been watching for 6 years so this one got a core needle biopsy which was "benign cells" fibro or phylloides tumor so lumpectomy was scheduled.  Had 2 mammos that day and a long u/s and nothing else suspicious was seen.  Biopsy results however came back as a fibro as suggested but nonclear margins of DCIS all around it (again not picked up on any film 6 weeks before).  So had MRI and another "highly suspicious" area seen on same breast and another in other side.  Have made up mind to do bilat mast adn be done with it best I can me.  Have 3 precious little children and want to do everything I can to hold their babies someday.  Now having to decide reconstruction issues - that another issue!