MRI question

Nancy2581

when I was diagnosed I had a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound on both breasts.  I never had an MRI.  Did all of you have one?  I did have a combined pet/ct scan after my lumpectomy - is that why no mri?  I know I should ask onc but don't see her for a few weeks. I have a bad habit of finding things to stress about.

Just curious

Nancy

labelle

I had a breast only MRI prior to surgery (lumpectomy scheduled for 11.13.14) but no pet or ct scan and none mentioned as being in my future. So maybe it is an either or thing, but now I'm stressed that I haven't had either a pet or ct scan. Dang! The stress that comes with a BC diagnosis is so incredible. Sometimes I wonder how any of us make it thru it without going crazy.

Nancy2581

labelle I only go the pet/ct scan because the dreadful cancer made it to one of my lymph nodes. The test wasn't ordered until after my pathology report from my lumpectomy came back. It really depends on the oncologist and the stage/lymph node involvement.  I have a friend with a similar diagnosis as mine and she had no pet/ct scan

Nancy

labelle

They'll do a sentinel node biopsy when they do my lumpectomy. For now I think we are all just hoping for no lymph node involvement, but if there is I suspect it will change a lot of things, including whether I have more tests like the pet or ct scans you've written about. All these test, which ones we should or should not have, the ones some of us have but others don't,  are somewhat confusing to me. So sorry you are dealing with this too.  

Nancy2581

labelle good luck with your surgery.  I hope you have no lymph node involvement.  I wii say that waiting for the results of that pet/ct scan and bone scan scared the crap out of me.  It was worse than my cancer diagnosis. 

Hang in there this whole cancer thing stinks but it will get better for you. I promise.  Once you know exactly what you're dealing with its easier .

Nancy

Nancy2581

bump

noonrider

I have not had a PET scan because my nodes were clear, but will have one at my one year check up - after my tissue expanders are out. If you want to know what the breast MRI is like, I did a blog post on my experience back in March.
http://gardenofeagan.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-space-suit.html

Nancy2581

I'm just wondering if I should have had one at the beginning of all this, but then I got a pet/ct scan.  Which is more accurate?

MsPharoah

Hello, I had a breast MRI prior to surgery because of the type of cancer I have...it being commonly multifocal and multicentric.  The MRI was used to make the surgical decision.  As far as PET/CT and MRIS of other than the breast, that varies between doctors.  I had no pre-surgical indication of lymph node involvement and my sentinel node biopsy was negative after surgery, so I have not had any scans.  But...I am moving across country and will have a new set of doctors.  It will be interesting to see what their surveillance is for the next years.  My preference is to have NO scans unless there is a good reason to do so.  

MsP

tgtg

Nancy--

My mammo and ultrasound were perfectly clear, so I went straight to lumpectomy.  First CAT scan I had was for planning radiation. No PET scan at all.  First post-surgery mammo was 2-D type, at one year, and 2nd post-surgery mammo is 3-D.  First MRI will be at 2 and a half years out from surgery.  And I am doing just fine.

So, you can see everyone is different, depending on her particular presentation.  Probably best not to compare such items anecdotally, since these decisions are based on medical information and experience.  If it really bothers you, just ask your medical team why they chose no MRI--the team is the only place to get answers related to your case.  

tg

Nancy2581

tg very true thanks for the feedback.  I plan on asking mo next time I see her.  Should have asked along time ago

Nancy

april25

I'm trying to sort out the scans/tests thing since I'm pre-treatment.

KP (where I'm at) only commonly does an abdomen/hip CT scan. I got them to schedule some MRIs because an outside oncologist gave me a 2nd Opinion recommending more tests. Otherwise they said the tests weren't indicated...

BUT yearly mammogram did NOT find my 3cm lump. I had to find the stupid thing. So I want to be tested like crazy not, because there's so many ways for tests to miss stuff.

The MRIs will come after my first cycle of Chemo because it's been nearly a month out and I don't want to wait more. The MRIs after Chemo will not be optimum, but at least they will have a look at what's going on! Weird that there's not even another mammo or ultrasound for my other breast. I mean, true it's rare to have two BC's, but I got the one, didn't I? And it ups the risks of another BC, right?