Atypical Cells

bassetmom

I posted on here back in 2011 with atypical cells. After a mammogram and US, it ended up being simple cysts. Recently, I used another screening facility and the radiologist told me I had a complex cyst. When I received a call from my OBGYN, they discussed I had atypical cells. For some reason, the new facility is unable to open the disc (images) from the former facility, so now I am sch to have an MRI. It does make me nervous since i was diagnosed years ago with it. Any experience with this.? Never had MRI before.

Georgia1

Hi Bassetmom. An MRI is a very useful test and it's not that bad. Their will be a blood sample taken first, which was oddly the worst part for me because it was unexpected. The MRI machine itself is loud, and you need to lay still, but I asked the tech to tell me everything she was doing and how long it would take, which helped. (They give you ear phones for that communication). I just closed my eyes and did not feel claustrophobic at all.

I drove myself there and back just fine.

Good luck!

DATNY

I had two breast MRI, they are pretty easy as long as you can stay still for 25 min or so. The place where I go has a nice painting to look at during test, which makes the whole experience less medical. First they took pictures without contrast, and then with contrast which is administrated through an IV. I prefer MRI to CT scan because there isn't any x-ray involved.

bassetmom

Thanks for both of your responses. Georgia1, I was unaware they will do a blood draw. I spoke to someone yesterday and she said it will take 45 min and I will have lay on my stomach. Also, no one mentioned the IV. Not real fond of needles. I was completely oblivious to how the MRI worked. I asked what are my chances of getting cancer, she told me it was a magnet you go through, not to worry. They are doing the one with the contrast. Not sure what that means. Does anyone know how long it will take for results? I will Be on pins and needles the whole time

djmammo

Click Here for info on Breast MRI

bassetmom

Thanks for the link! A lot of helpful information

bassetmom

I had the MRI today. First, let me explain the insurance situation. Someone called me yesterday and said insurance hasn't authorized and they needed to reschedule. Well, since I wanted this over with, I told them I will be self pay. It was $364 with insurance and $550 for self pay. I wasn't happy that they waited the last minute to tell me this. Anyways, back to the MRI. The people were extremely nice and let me know step by step what was happening. It took 20 minutes which seemed like the longest 20 minutes of my life. I had ear plugs and headphones with music. However, it was so loud, it drowned out the music. Kinda felt like I was in the Twilight Zone. I started to cry as Hotel California started to play and I thought oh no, this is going to turn into an ugly cry and they are going to tell me I'm moving to much. However, she told me I did perfect. I hope I never have to do it again. It was not pleasant. I really feel sad for elderly people who have to do it. Anyways, my results will be delivered online within 24-48 hours. My nerves have not been good. I hope and pray everything will be fine.

Georgia1

Congrats for making it through that! Yes, it was really loud for my MRI and I thought I was in a space ship being abducted by aliens there for awhile. But that thought made me laugh so I made it through ok and I'm glad you did too. Happy Valentine's day and warmest wishes to you! Hope the insurance comes through in the end.

Georgia1

Congrats for making it through that! Yes, it was really loud for my MRI and I thought I was in a space ship being abducted by aliens there for awhile. But that thought made me laugh so I made it through ok and I'm glad you did too. Happy Valentine's day and warmest wishes to you! Hope the insurance comes through in the end.

bassetmom

Thanks, Georgia1. It has been a tough week, for sure. I thought I would share my results:

FINDINGS: ( From Mammo & US) Multiple bilateral mostly obscured by breast tissue partially

circumscribed and circumscribed nodular opacities are present in both breasts

more numerously in the right breast. The mammograms are otherwise unremarkable.

Sonography of the breast shows multiple bilateral simple cysts more numerously

in the right breast. The largest of these measure upwards of 2.4 cm in size.

There is a single atypical cyst in the left breast located at 2:00, 6 cm from

the nipple, measuring 9 cm in dimension which contains internal material which

does not shift in position. This material does not show internal vascularity and

likely represents thick internal nonmobile debris, however the possibility of

intracystic neoplasm is not excluded therefore I am recommending that breast MRI

be performed. Otherwise unremarkable.

FINDINGS: (FROM MRI): There is mild background enhancement. There are numerous foci of

enhancement bilaterally. None of these stand out compared to others. No

suspicious enhancement curve or morphologically suspicious lesion. There are

numerous cysts bilaterally. None of these have enhancement. Some of these have

natively bright signal though they do not enhance. No suspicious adenopathyBI-RADS 2. Benign findings

So my question is: does anyone think I will have to have the atypical cyst removed surgically? They described it as not having fluid and having debris. What are your thoughts? Sorry some of this this is double spaced. Thanks for your input.

djmammo

bassetmom

The MRI indicated none of them enhanced. If that were a tumor in that "atypical cyst" it would have enhanced. BTW, Cysts are referrred to as simple, complicated, or complex. Atypical is not an accepted term in the BIRADS lexicon.

I would just check back and make sure that the person who read the MRI had your US and US report at the time the MRI was read out. Usually when one reads an MRI, specific mention of any problematic findings mentioned on prior studies are specifically addressed in the report.

bassetmom

Thanks, DJ. That makes very good sense. My doc called me today and told me the news was good. I already suspected that from what I had read from the report. Youve been so helpful, I have one more question. I think I should have the cysts drained. This will be the 4th time if I go through with it. Do you think it can be damaging to have it done so many times? When I usually have it done, they don’t come back for a while.

djmammo

B’Mom

If they are painful/tender aspirating them will help. I have seen patients have repeated aspirations over the years without any problems.

There is a neat trick where the fluid removed from the cyst is replaced with air. It dries out the lining of the cyst and makes them less likely to recur. There are many papers on the subject.

bassetmom

DJ, very interesting. I will see what I can research on that. Thanks so much for your response!