"may reflect metastatic involvement" - so scared!

lighthouselady

I was dx with IDC on 8/1/13.  I have a 5cm mass (grade 3) and also had biopsies of a 7mm mass and 1 suspicious lymph node (no results yet).  None of the doctors have even tried to stage me yet.  CT scan of chest & abdomen and my bone scan were both clear.  My surgeon ordered a brain MRI after we told her that I passed out in the shower last weekend.  The MRI report just showed up in my account online and it says:

Brain: Subtle enhancement in the left frontal bone that may reflect metastatic involvement.

I've tried to play Dr. Google and figure out what else could cause enhancement of my skull on an mri, because I do NOT want to believe this cancer is in my breast AND my skull.  Am I right to freak out?  The report says follow-up is recommended.  What sort of follow-up is there? 

I'm seeing a new medical oncologist tomorrow and the plan right now is to have chemo first before any kind of surgery.  I also found out I'm BRCA +, so surgery will most likely be a double mx.  This has NOT been a good weekend for me. 

~Michelle

melmcbee

Oh Michelle, Im sorry you are going thru this. I cant believe that you get your own report and not hear that from a doctor who could explain it. Did the report. List a differential? Meaning did it say could be a metastesis or a bruise? For example. Sending healing prayers your way.

lighthouselady

This is exactly what the report says:

FINDINGS:
Brain: Subtle enhancement in the left frontal bone that may reflect
metastatic involvement. The diffusion weighted images demonstrate no evidence
of acute infarct. There is no hydrocephalus, acute hemorrhage, mass effect,
midline shift, or extra axial fluid collection. The brain parenchyma is
within normal limits. Midline structures are within normal limits. The
paranasal sinuses are clear.

To me it sounds like everything brain-related is normal, but the left frontal bone.  I know it's crazy to try and figure out one of these reports on my own, but what else am I supposed to do when it shows up on the weekend?  I know there is nobody there to explain it to me.  <sigh>  I'm so upset, and so sick of bad news.   After the clear bone scan, this was the LAST thing I expected from this MRI.

melmcbee

I know its hard but try to get some sleep so you can wake up early and call your oncologist. Im praying you get good news. Healing hugs

Martie1228

Michelle, How are you doing? Have you talked with your oncologist? Praying for you!

Momine

Michelle, I have uptake on the seam at the top of the skull. It is not cancer. Probably just old injury from my brain being too big

lighthouselady

Thanks for checking on me!  I am going ok.  My surgeon was NOT concerned at all about the MRI results, she said she didn't think it was metastatic.  My MO is being more cautious and ordered a PET scan (had that yesterday).  I'm hoping my surgeon is right!      I have to go to "chemo class" tomorrow and then maybe start chemo Thurs or Fri.