What was your inital Bi Rads score

Kcabrera

Hello ladies - I'm sorry to be finding you here but I was hoping I could ask a question.

I recently had a mammogram done because of a large thickening in my right breast. I had to repeat the test for spot compression as well as an ultrasound. They gave my right breast a final score of Bi Rads 2 but also stated that if there is strong clinical symptom, then an MRI should be done. I don't understand why I would be rated a 2 if an MRI is still suggested. I am going to have the MRI done as I am very concerned about the thickening.

My question is...for those of you whose ILC did not show on mammogram, what was your initial Bi Rads score?

Thank you!

grandma3X

mine was always 2, and both mammo and ultrasound failed to detect a 5cm tumor even though I could feel it.

The MRI is suggested because there is clinical evidence of something (that is, it can be felt) even though it can't be seen on the mammogram. I wish that MRI had been recommended for me. Instead, I was told that if my mammo was ok, I shouldn't worry about the thickening. I waited 2 years before finally getting a biopsy.

Hopefully, your results will show nothing of concern, but it's better to get it checked now, rather than later!

Kcabrera

Thank you so much for your response. I am sorry your outcome wasn't what you had hoped. I just have a gut feeling that the MRI will find something.

ShetlandPony

The first ILC breast tumor felt like a rock and got Bi-Rads 5 on mammogram.

The second ILC breast tumor was more of a soft lump than a thickening; it felt like a cyst. It got Bi-Rads 3 on mammogram/ultrasound. Six months later it got Bi-Rads 4 on MRI. At that point, I had a biopsy. (My onc thinks it felt like metastatic disease rather than a primary.)

It sounds like your mammogram doesn't look suspicious enough to get higher than Bi-Rads 2, but because of the way it feels, they want to rule out ILC. As you likely know, Mammograms don't always show ILC well, but MRI is very sensitive for ILC. I think your doctor is right to order the MRI based on how the breast feels, and it is good that you are not having trouble getting access to this important yet expensive imaging. If the MRI sees something suspicious that leads to a biopsy, try not to panic, because MRIs do tend to give more false positives than some other types of imaging. But in your case I agree with grandma3x that it is important for you to get the MRI.

Kcabrera

Shetland - Thank you so much for your input. I hope you're doing well right now. I have been warned that MRIs are VERY sensitive so I'll try to stay calm until I have definitive answers.

Wicked

I was a 4 on mammo and recently had an MRI that also got a 4 for 2 different areas. Having those checked out next week with MRI-guided biopsy.

Kcabrera

Wicked - thanks for sharing. Best of luck to you.

OG56

I have been a high risk watch for 7 years, imaging every six months due to Pleomorphic LCIS. 6 months ago New calc on Rt breast, Birads 2, move forward 6 months MRI Birads 4 with biopsy of ILC same area. Trust your gut

BettsCubs

Hi, I also have ILC. At the end of June 2016 I ha d a BiRad 3, probably benign. I noticed a dent under my left nipple on 8/17 and was sent for an MRI. On 9/6 I had a left breast mastectomy, the tumor was 11.5cm lobular and had spread to 6/9 lymph nodes. Lobular CA hides in dense breast tissue. Get the MRI and don't take any chances

wallycat

I was clueless about technical jargon and never knew if/what bi-rads were. I had a radiologist call me back for a recheck and nothing showed up. Not sure if that was good or bad....I went home and believed I was actually good to go. 4-5 years later, I had the recurring dreams that made me act. ILC. Mammogram never picked up a thing. MRI lit up. Ultrasound showed nothing so I went back for a needle guided biopsy via MRI. Cancer.

LRGinger

Mine was a five, and it was right! MRI found another ILC tumor in the same breast.