Really struggling right now with new news

Brneyegrl6608

My MRI results just came back. Originally on ultrasound it was thought that the mass was 1.9 x 0.8 cm. After MRI mass is measuring 5.4 x 1.4 x 2.1 cm. There is a second unknown etiology mass 3.6 cm below the primary mass and 3 mm anterior of pectoral muscle fascia measuring 1.0x1.5x1.0 cm. I'm preliminary stage 3 now. I am going to talk to the oncologist this week about chemo first vs surgery or surgery first because of the second mass. Left mastectomy for sure. I am feeling so defeated right now, scared out of my mind, convinced that every pain means it's metastatic. Nodes did look clear on MRI so that's the only thing I'm clinging to right now. Any survivors out there to give me hope?

Sam0623

I was where you are now a little over a month ago, and all I can say is try not to worry until you have more information. My original ultrasound estimated my mass to be around 1 cm, and then MRI measured it to be 2.5 cm, with enhancement totalling 4.6 cm. I have been told it is difficult to tell exactly the size based on imaging, and my Dr goes based on what she can feel (which was closer to the 2.5 cm). They also found 2 other masses on the MRI (one which was on the other breast) which both turned out to be benign. I started chemo first (as I liked the idea of being able to tell if it was working) and my Dr could tell a difference even after 2 A/C treatments. I also have had no signs of lymph node involvement so I try to focus on that. I got 3 seperate opinions, and other than for surgical options none of the doctors seemed overly concerned about the size measured by the MRI. Since it's already shrinking from chemo we may never know exactly how big it was, and I'm ok with that as long as it goes away.

Brneyegrl6608

I was leaning towards surgery first because of that second mass but you made me feel a little better. I do want to see if the chemo works. I have mtg w/oncologist this week to discuss. Thank you.

AnotherMichelle

My u/s showed 2.1 cm mass. I had a core needle biopsy in four different sites of the same breast. Then I had an MRI. The NP called me after the MRI and told me it was 9 cm. I thought I was stage 3 for about five months. One day I asked my MO, and he looked at my surgeon's chart (who had ordered the test), and said that she had noted 2.1 with "enhancement" (typical of MRIs). The MRI--after all the trauma of the biopsies and mammograms and whatever--made it look larger than it was. After chemo (I did not have pCR because I'm ER/PR+ and HER2-), it was 2.1 cm of cancer but no longer a solid mass. My MO told me that in his experience, MRIs were not great at estimating size and that surgery is the best way to find out.

I'm thinking of you,

Kelli

Brneyegrl6608

Anothermichelle thank you for that! I didn't think about the trauma from the biopsy. I have been so upset about this knowing that later stages could mean an even harder road ahead. Another question to bring up with the oncologist.