Post DIEP Annual MRI

Katiejane

I had my bilateral DIEP reconstruction in 2012 and was advised by my surgeon to have an annual MRI on my "girls" since mammography is no longer an option without real breast tissue. I was wondering if any of you ladies have been advised to do this as well. My Oncologist and my PCP say there is no need. Anyone?????? Thanks! katiejane

Morwenna

I am followed at the cancer centre by a clinical trials nurse. She was telling me I needed to have regular MRI follow up since I did not get clear margins.

When I reminded her that it was my lumpectomy that had dirty margins, but my following mastectomy was clear, she apologised and told me that in that case i did NOT have to have regular follow up MRI's or any other imaging unless I was symptomatic.

I am part relieved and part anxious not to have regular scans, but I feel that it would regularly ramp up my (sc)anxiety to have regular imaging, so possibly happy that I may just be able to relax eventually and not worry about recurrence (til it happens!!! .... IF it happens)

besa

I have bilateral tissue reconstruction DIEP/sGAP and am now followed with annual mammograms. I was originally followed with MRI but my new bs switched me to mammograms. After mastectomy and reconstruction there is still some breast tissue left under the skin and next to the chest wall.

There is no consensus guidelines when it comes to this type of monitoring and different bs have different opinions. (With either MRI or mammograms you need a radiologist who has lots of experience looking a flaps.) Some doctors do only manual exams, others recommend only a baseline mammogram or MRI done so there is something to compare to if something come up in the future, still others recommend either annual MRIs or mammograms.....