MRI Results: Completely the Last Thing I Expected!

ILikeCats

I've recently been dx with IDC, left breast. Size is about 2.1 cm. Medically staged at IIA based on US-guide core biopsy and other imaging tests.

I've got a team of SO, MO, and RO on the case. When I met recently with my SO to discuss the surgery, she ordered an MRI to get a better view of the tumor's position ... it's pretty far back against the chest muscle, and she thinks if it's too far back or embedded, a mastectomy will be needed rather than a lumpectomy. Okay, I was fine with that. Went for the MRI last week and didn't give it a second thought. My next appointment with the SO is January 10, and I figured we'd discuss the MRI results then.

But, no! It can never be simple, can it? The day after my MRI, I get a call that I need to come back for a 3D mammo and US on the *right* breast (not the left one, which is the one with the malignant tumor that we already know about). Now I'm freaking out.

Has anyone else had this happen? I thought I was dealing pretty well with the left breast situation, and now this happens with the right! I am no longer dealing so well with it. I'm filled with sadness and anxiety.

Peacetoallcuzweneedit

Yes happened to me as well - I had bilateral breast cancer. The MRI showed the mass on the right side to be identical to mass on right, and I was sent immediately for a biopsy and additional images of that breast. It was biopsied as lobular neoplasia (precancer) but after double MX and pathology- it was confirmed as IDC....I'm sorry about the additional mass/spot....the beginning is so hard and the anxiety I remember was off the charts...still deal with it... I'm sending healing thoughts your way...none of this is easy....

Cpeachymom

Ilikecats- (me too!)

So I’ve already had my surgery and treatment and was going for a six month follow up mri last week, which I just assumed was standard for cancer. Then I found out in November that NO, they’re following something on my Left breast that I wasn’t told about! Just an “enhancement “, but still! If I had known there was something suspicious, I probably would have opted for bmx from the get go!!! Better to know all the info and details before you have to make decisions. I won’t know my results for a week or so...

I hope for good results for your follow up and for your surgery.

ILikeCats

Thank you for your input, peacetoall and Cpeachy. I'm sorry to hear that both of you are facing/have faced the same thing I am. I feel like I've been kicked in the gut again after already been kicked down from my first dx.

You make a good point, Cpeachy: I'd rather know now so that I can get a bmx rather than having one surgery and then another one later.

Wonderfulmom

MRI’s generate a lot of false positives. I know, it happened to me.

Luckynumber47

Here I am, jumping on the bilateral bandwagon. The mammogram found my IDC on the left side and I'm very thankful the radiologist ordered an MRI because it found a DCIS on the other side that was totally invisible to the mammogram. That changed surgery from a lumpectomy to a BMX but looking back that was the best thing for me. I kind of felt like I wanted to leave no stone unturned.

Be prepared for a few more surprises after surgery. My nodes were still all negative but I had isolated tumor cells (itc) in one node and focal LVI. None of that changed my treatment plan and now, almost 2 years later I feel great and it's hard to believe any of that ever happened.

I think the anxiety and sadness happens no matter how extensive your diagnosis is. You'll go thru a lot of introspection until you figure out what all this means for you. We're all rooting for you.

Lucky.

reflect

Hi ...MRI indicated a potential problem in my "good" breast also, but it was a false alarm. Hoping the same for you. MRIs are known for this issue.

SavedbyGrace1972

ILikeCats,

You and I have a similar diagnosis. I'm ER + PR- HER2- IDC in left breast grade 3 high ki67% index. Went for bilateral MRI and it revealed a mass in my right breast. Now I am going for a bilateral MRI guided biopsy. As if the initial MRI wasn't torture enough! This time I'm taking Valium to help me relax!! I'm hoping for good results but preparing to hear not so good results. What I do know is that it wasn't present on my mammogram I had in May.

But I am pretty much gearing up for a bilateral mastectomy. Good riddance to breast cancer!

ILikeCats

Such a comfort to find others who've been in the same situation. As I was telling my husband this morning, this second finding of "something" (if it turns out to be malignant) in the other breast could be viewed as a blessing in a couple of ways.

• I can have a bilateral mastectomy and be done with it rather than go through the surgery and treatment for the left breast (Stage IIA IDC) and later find out I need to start it all over with the right breast.
• We might have caught it early.

I have my 3D mammo and US this afternoon, and I wouldn't be surprised if they decide to schedule me for a biopsy on the right breast.

Best wishes to everyone who is still in limbo in this situation -- and to those who faced it and got through it, thank you for sharing your experience.

P.S. to SavedbyGrace: I've been given an Rx for Xanax to help with my ever-increasing anxiety. My advice to anyone waiting for test results is not to be afraid to ask your doctor for a Rx to help you cope. It really helps!

ErenTo

Yes, getting a callback after pre-surgery MRI is fairly common. Happened to me as well and I freaked out. They called me back for a targetted US of the 'healthy' breast. It ended up being fibroademona which we followed for two years.

houmom

I also had something show up on the breast MRI in the other side, and way bigger than anything they’d already found. I’ve had multiple 3D mammograms and extensive US work done before the MRI, and nothing was ever noticed before, and I am already going for BMX, so I opted to not get any further testing done on this new finding. I picked BMX because I was sure they’d end up finding something on the ‘clear’ side, and the MRI finding just confirmed that for me. The MRI and CT also picked up on something in my liver but further testing showed that it is just a benign hemangioma.

ILikeCats

That's good to know, ErenTo. Glad your "surprise" was not malignant.

And yikes!!! I couldn't help noticing in your signature info that you went into cardiac arrest during your treatment. How scary! I'm glad you came through that with no lasting damage.

SummerAngel

Add me to that list, my experience was similar. Here's my post about it, I was freaking out: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/96/topics...

Note that even though I ended up with bilateral IDC and a BMX, I didn't need radiation or chemo and I'm doing great now.

ILikeCats

Thanks, SummerAngel. That entire thread you linked to was very informative. It did get me to thinking, though, that a BMX might be the best choice for me. Even if the newly discovered second mass turns out to be benign, I'm sure I'd spend the rest of my life in fear and anxiety that it was actually malignant or would become that way. Like my younger sister likes to say, "Ain't nobody got time for that!"

SummerAngel

It is a tough decision. If you're prone to anxiety, especially about health issues, it might make sense to go for the BMX. I feel lucky in a way, because once the tumor on the second side was confirmed, and they knew there were quite a few more areas of concern in both breasts, all of the doctors on the tumor board of my hospital recommended a BMX. It took the confusion about what to do away from me, and it helped me just move forward without questioning my decision. I also got a second opinion at an NCI-designated cancer center, and they recommended the same. If your case hasn't been/won't be evaluated by a tumor board I would suggest getting a second opinion, just in case.

ILikeCats

I think you're right, SummerAngel. Perhaps I'd feel more reassured in the long run if I choose BMX. The cancer clinic I use does in fact have a tumor board and uses multi-disciplinary teams. I have a nurse navigator, a social worker, RO, SO, and MO and feel like I'm in good hands. All the same, I am going to keep the option open of getting a second opinion if I feel it would be in my best interests.

ToughCookie101

I got a similar callback after my MRI. I was diagnosed with IDC in the left breast at the age of 33. Another mass was found in the right breast during my MRI. I had a biopsy done on it and a clip inserted. The right lump was benign, PASH tumor. There are lots of other reasons for lumps and bumps and an MRI is very sensitive. Good to get it checked out but chances are it is nothing

ILikeCats

Well, I have an update. Went for mammo and US on the other (right) breast today. The radiologist told me in person it looks like cancer but there's no evidence of lymph node involvement, as is the case with the left breast (2.1 cm, Stage IIA). The size of the right breast lesion (1.2 cm)also puts me at an early stage (Stage I, probably). I go for a biopsy tomorrow.

So, looks like I have synchronous BBC! I'm going to go over to that forum and see what I can learn.

Cpeachymom

ilikecats-

Sorry to hear the news. Glad that you trust your team, that’s important. Hoping for good outcome for you.

Gully

Cats,

So sorry you find yourself here....as you can see by my stats I am also a SBBC patient! I think it happens more often that historical stats have recorded. As you can see I am almost five years out and doing well. You can do this...they will treat you based on the "worst" biology L or R. My treatment plan remained basically the same. Good luck to you..you are in the worst part now. After treatment decisions are made and you begin treatment you will feel less anxiety. Hugs.... Gully

ILikeCats

Thank you, all you strong and kind ladies. Hearing from those in similar circumstances really helps me feel less alone in my somewhat unusual diagnosis.

mila3 ... the radiologist based his assessment on mammo and US (and previous MRI), and that is never the "final word" of course. But the lesion is definitely suspicious and requires further investigation. I'm having a biopsy today. My SO insisted that I be seen for that immediately. I'd already had an appointment scheduled with the SO for January 10, and she wanted to be sure my pathology results were ready by then because we'll have some decisions to make. Hence, the urgency on the biopsy.

SummerAngel

Please let us know how it goes, ILikeCats. At least after this biopsy you'll know for sure what you're dealing with.

ILikeCats

Thanks, SummerAngel. I'll post the results when they come through. I don't know if they will notify me before my regularly scheduled appointment on the 10th or just wait until then. In either case, I guess that's okay. The 10th is next Wednesday ... which will be here before I know it.

rosyjane

Yes, today I had a breast MRI with biopsy because "something" was found in the noncancerous breast during the first breast MRI. It was (and is) upsetting to worry and wait. I totally understand.

---

Dx 12/14/2017, ILC, Right, 5mm, Stage 1B, Grade 2, ER+/PR+, HER2-

ksusan

I'm sorry that you're in this position but also really glad for you that additional imaging has caught a potential problem. I was initially diagnosed with DCIS in my left breast but MRI showed higher stage IDC in the right. That IDC did not appear on my mammogram.

ILikeCats

After reading these responses, I have come to the conclusion that finding the additional tumor during an MRI on the known tumor is a blessing in disguise. The new one they found on me was so well hidden (according to the radiologist) that it might have been years before it was noted on a regular mammo.

(Trying to look at the bright side of things! Still worried, though.)

Lories

I totally agree I like cats.

Just had my first MRI today (dense breasts, previous bc) and waiting to hear.....

has your biopsy been done yet?

ILikeCats

Hi, Lories. Thanks for asking. They did the biopsy and some additional follow-up imaging on January 4. Still waiting on the results. I'm new to the forum, so I take the time to read the information at the bottom of people's posts. I see you've already been down this road before. I hope you are doing well and that the MRI doesn't show anything abnormal.

lrwells50

My radiologist friend that found the tumor on mammo, warned me that MRIs generate a lot of false positives. Thinking about having oneevery 6 months decided me on BMX instead of lumpectomy.

Lories

Thanks I Like Cats! fingers crossed. and Irwells50 - I've heard about the false positives. I guess that throws things into biopsies?

I totally understand going BMX, every 6 months is too worrisome.

Lories

hoping for good results. one at a time!