Deciphering MRI results

Paco

Diagnosed with DCIS to the left breast with CN biopsy on 1/02/2018. Just received the results of the MRI from 1/06/2018. This sounds like they didn't find anything else and the DCIS is not embedded into the skin or muscle? So I might still be a candidate for lumpectomy (the DCIS has a high nuclear grade, per the CNB)?

RIGHT BREAST: There is magnetic susceptibility artifact along the posteromedial aspect of a postbiopsy hematoma in the lateral aspect of the right breast, near the 9 to 10:00 position. The hematoma measures 23 x 18 x 22 mm in craniocaudal span. Lateral to the hematoma, extending to the lateral skin surface, there is an irregular area of hyperenhancement demonstrating progressive and plateauing enhancement characteristics. This measures 13 x 13 x 18 mm in AP dimension, and is consistent with ductal carcinoma in situ and/or post biopsy changes. No residual calcifications were identified in this area on the postbiopsy mammogram. The area of enhancement extends to within a few millimeters of the anterior aspect of the right pectoral muscle.

No suspicious mass-like enhancement or suspicious segmental enhancement is seen throughout the remainder of the right breast. The skin and nipple complex of the right breast is unremarkable.

LEFT BREAST: No suspicious mass-like enhancement or suspicious segmental enhancement is seen in the left breast. The skin and left nipple are unremarkable.

CHEST WALL: Unremarkable.

AXILLARY NODES: No adenopathy.

OTHER FINDINGS: The visible liver is unremarkable.

Georgia1

Hi there Kelly. I'm not a doctor, but yes it looks like they found nothing invasive, so just the DCIS. Lumpectomy would be your choice, but the size of the mass is an issue, depending on the size of your breasts, as is the location near the skin. So it's worth discussing the cosmetic aspects, as well as medical, if that's part of the reason you have a preference for lumpectomy.

I chose a lumpectomy + radiation and I'm very glad I did. But some surgeons are better than others. Mine used a biozorb device to improve the cosmetic outcome so that's something you might want to discuss as you interview surgeons.

Hope that's at least somewhat helpful.

LAstar

I have read that MRI is best at detecting high-grade DCIS, so the fact that nothing more was detected is a good sign. My MRI lit up in lots of other areas when it was done between my 1st and 2nd lumpectomies, and my breast surgeon was fairly sure I'd need a mastectomy when he saw it. You sound like a good candidate for a successful lumpectomy, and it's great that your breast surgeon has this information. Best wishes!