MRI instead of Biopsy

C4ndy

I had started another thread about this, but go different news today after going to the doctor. I had a biopsy last year and was found to have a 2.5 cm fibroadenoma. I also have a smaller one about 1.5 cm. When I went for my yearly mammogram, I got a call and did not receive my mammogram results. So I went the doctor. I am so glad I did. The mammogram says there is a new 6mm circumscribed oval equal density mass. I think this sounds a whole like another fibroadenoma and my doctor did too. She said that they will probably continue to be popping up. She also said that if they want to do a biopsy again on this one to ask for an MRI instead. She also said that I should get yearly MRIs along with my mammograms from now on.

Does anyone know about getting an MRI instead of a biopsy. Can MRI show things that other tests can't, especially with lesions that are very likely benign?

Should I post this in the "bengin conditions forum"?

wallan

Hi again C4ndy;

I had an MRI after my mammogram and ultrasound. They wanted to confirm what they saw on the other imaging. It will not confirm cancer. You definitely need a biopsy for that.

wallan

mustlovepoodles

An MRI can give your doctor information that isn't apparent on mammogram. However, it cannot confirm, nor deny breast cancer. Cancer usually looks irregular and has certain characteristics they look for. If this mass doesn't fit the description, your doctor's advice to just wait and watch may be valid. In the end, you are the one who makes the decision, I suppose. Best of luck to you.

C4ndy

I know that MRI's won't confirm something is/is not cancer, but I wonder if they are appropriate for masses that are likely benign. I already have 2 confirmed fibroadenomas. This is likely a third. I might get more. Are core sample biopsies really necessary everytime? My doctor seemed to think the MRI approach, plus wait and see approach would work.

I guess I will wait and see what the radiologist says. But I do like my doctor's idea of getting MRIs yearly along with my mammogram.

MTwoman

I had 2 small areas of DCIS that were not found on mammo or us and am super thankful an mri was recommended to me and I did it. However, please look into the current info on gadolinium toxicity and perhaps speak to your provider to weigh the pros and cons. It is becoming clear that some agents that are routinely used as contrast dye to make MRIs a more sensitive tool for bc detection (they are watching the patterns in how the lump takes in and washes out the dye) remain in the body; especially the brain. 4 of these commonly used agents have been banned from use in the EU. Regular MRIs, instead of alternating them with mammo, would mean yearly exposure and you want to make sure the benefits outweigh the risks. Just so that you can inform yourself on your choices.

pegasus68

Info on screening MRI can be found here: http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types... If you don't meet certain recommendations, your insurance might not cover annual MRI for screening.

FWIW - two of my fibroadenomas were first detected as enhancing masses by screening MRI, never seen on mammo (probably due to dense breasts), and each had at least one 'suspicious' feature on ultrasound so I unfortunately had to have them both biopsied anyway.

C4ndy

I went for the diagnostic mammogram and sonogram today. Turns out the spot is nothing more than a simple cyst. So I now have 2 fibroadenomas and 1 known cyst in my left breast. I asked them about the MRI screening. The radiologist said that since I have dense, "busy" breasts he would make a recommendation for MRI screenings. I am not sure what I am going to do with that though. I realize I might still end up with biopsies, but it seems I would have to go through less steps to get to that stage. I've had 4 mammograms and 3 of them have essentially been false positives. Each time I've had to go through the terrifying process of not knowing and going to all the appointments and waiting for the results.

Thank you for listening.

pegasus68

So glad to hear it was benign!

Lindacim31

I have been recently diagnosed with IDC. I found the lump myself and never miss my annual mammogram. After biopsy and visit to surgeon I had a MRI before my surgery. I go to a large university hospital and according to the radiologist MRI's are helpful in patients with very dense breasts. They actually offer a test called a fast MRI. They are using the data to show the insurance community the benefit they are for early cancer diagnosis is patients with very dense breasts.

Lindacim31

I have been recently diagnosed with IDC. I found the lump myself and never miss my annual mammogram. After biopsy and visit to surgeon I had a MRI before my surgery. I go to a large university hospital and according to the radiologist MRI's are helpful in patients with very dense breasts. They actually offer a test called a fast MRI. They are using the data to show the insurance community the benefit they are for early cancer diagnosis is patients with very dense breasts.