Mass only visible on mri

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I'm having an mri guided breast biopsy on Thursday for a mass that is suspicious for cancer, birads 4b. It was found on breast mri but not visible on mammogram or ultrasound. I have dense breast tissue. I wanted to connect with others who have had a mass that was only visible on mri. I want to hear their experience before, during, and after biopsy, outcomes, diagnosis, any info really.

I have talked with others who have had a mass visible on mammogram or ultrasound. Their experience is different than mine though. Surely I could find someone on this site who has had a mass that could NOT be seen on ultrasound or mammogram too. Everyone I talk to has had a mass that was seen on ultrasound or mammogram.

I would love to hear from someone who has had a tumor not visible on ultrasound or mammogram.

Rah2464

Plantbased I had a small mass that showed on 3D mammography but not on follow up ultrasound. I was actually cleared and told to come back in a year. 6 weeks later I went back to see a surgeon and indicated that I felt something was wrong. Mammo and Ultrasound repeated with the same results. My surgeon heard me and ordered an MRI which led to a guided biopsy. I was told that there is a 98% diagnostic rate for ultrasound. My case fell into that 2% range that was not diagnostic. I had very small dense breasts so clear imaging was difficult. I did have a little pain from recovery from the needle biopsy simply because my spot was closer to the chest wall and my dense tissue was hard to punch thru. So after your biopsy take it easy on yourself but the discomfort should go away pretty quickly. Fingers crossed for you that it is benign.

MelissaDallas

What was the indication for the MRI?

Rah2464

My MRI was ordered because I told my surgeon that my left breast just felt slightly heavier and I was adamant that something was wrong. There was nothing palpable based on my breast density. It definitely saved me because I would have an entirely different disease to manage if I didn't get it.

ksusan

I had a tumor and lymph nodes show on MRI that did not show on mammogram. Follow-up ultrasound-guided biopsy was hard because they couldn't see the area on ultrasound. Mastectomy pathology showed that the MRI was accurate.

Best of luck to you!

light1candle

Hi plantbased. I am considered high-risk after a diagnosis of LCIS in my rt breast last summer, so I was okayed for yearly screening MRI's. I had my first MRI last December, which found a small enhancing mass at 9:00 in my left breast that had not been seen on previous mammograms. It was suspicious enough to earn a BIRADS 0 score, with a recommended second look targeted ultrasound, which found **nothing**. This earned a BIRADS 3 score, and a suggestion for another targeted ultrasound in six months. I had the US this summer at the same time as I had my yearly mammogram. Nothing was seen on the mammogram but a "new" small mass was seen in the 9:00 position on ultrasound, BIRADS 4. I had an US guided biopsy and it turned out to be a "feral" lymph node that was completely benign (just in an unexpected place).

It's unsettling to me how the different imaging modalities "see" different things, but I guess they all have their strengths and weaknesses. I honestly am not sure if the reason that the targeted US last Dec. did not find the enhancing "mass" seen on the MRI is because I seemed to have an inexperienced US technician. In June, a different US technician could go right to the spot and find the small mass in the expected place. Was this an interval change or just the difference in the US technicians? Ultimately it doesn't matter in my case since the biopsy results were benign.

momto3sons

I had an architectural distortion that showed up on mammogram, but not ultrasound. My BS ordered an MRI, and the distortion was still visible there. I ended up having an MRI-guided biopsy, with the diagnosis of atypical ductal hyperplasia. I ended up having that area of concern removed via excisional biopsy, and it confirmed the previous diagnosis. It's benign, but I'm in the high-risk category and will have more frequent scans for the time being.

Lula73

I had 1.2cm mass in right breast that did not appear on mammogram or ultrasound but was plain as day on mri. Had mri guided biopsy-not a big deal really, just time consuming and loud. Treatment plan went from lumpectomy on left breast to remove suspicious calcifications that would’ve been done locally to BMX with immediate DIEP flap recon at NOLA. This allowed me to avoid rads, no chemo required, and I take anti-hormone therapy to eliminate estrogen in my system to help reduce risk of recurrence. Genetic testing fell in there somewhere and I was positive for a gene that increases ovarian cancer risk so I had those bad boys removed too. Feel free to ask any questions!

Delete_my_profile

Thank you all for the responses. I appreciate it!

Lula73- I'm confused by some of your message. I don't understand the lingo and abbreviations I guess. Sorry this is all new to me. Can I ask what was your birads score? What if anything did they tell you before you're diagnosis? What was your official diagnosis? Sorry if you said, I just didn't understand the abbreviations.

My breast mri found a round mass 10mm by 10mm and something about Kinetics initial phase is fast. Delayed phase is washout. Then says background parenchymal enhancement is mild. That's all I know though. They don't seem too concerned. I'm told it's prob not anything serious because it's only found on mri and that's because mri is sensitive, so it's likely nothing. That's why I wanted to talk to someone who had tumor only visible on mri. I wondered if they had same experience or were told the same thing I was told, that basically if it's only seen on mri it's prob nothing to worry about.

The breast center didn't even want to meet with me before a biopsy. I insisted. I had questions. Then I was treated like I wasted their time when it's prob nothing. I was told the only reason they are even doing a biopsy is because someone rated it a 4b and now it has to be followed up with biopsy. I also found after I left there crying that I never even met with the doctor. The appt was scheduled with the doctor. I saw her nurse though. I asked if I should make a follow up appt after biopsy. She said what for? I said to get the results and plan what to do. She said, we will call you with the results. If you need to be seen, then we will make an appt. I don't ever want to go back back here! I get it, I wasted their time.

Mombytheriver

Hi Plantbased - sorry that you are going through this. It is never a waste of time to take care of your health and check things out. I did have a tumor that was not seen on mammo or ultra sound but was found by mri.

I had been diagnosed with Invasive lobular carcinoma of the left breast and was having the MRI to check things out before making treatment decisions. The MRI found three separate suspicious areas on my right breast. I had the mri guided biopsy and two of the three areas were benign but one of them was invasive ductal carcinoma. My surgeon was amazing and everyone that deal with is as well. There are great practitioners if you need them - and this is a good place to network should you need more.

Sending hugs and calm your way. Hope this helps.

Lula73

I'm sorry about the abbreviations-just second nature now.

IDC = invasive ducal carcinoma (type of breast cancer)

BMX = bilateral mastectomy

DIEP flap recon = type of reconstruction where they use your tummy fat to create new breasts after mastectomy. Can be done at same time as mastectomy or delayed some time after mastectomy. End result is warm, soft, natural looking/feeling breasts that move and age with you

NOLA = refers to one of the top breast reconstruction centers in the world that is located in New Orleans (www.breastcenter.com)

My birads after mri was 4: Suspicious

Unfortunately many breast centers are not very touchy feely and leave you kind of hanging. I willl say that when they call to give you your results it is different and they are typically quite empathetic and concerned. Never feel like you've wasted anyone's time when it comes to questions about your health and procedures you're having done. No matter the condition/procedure you deserve to have your questions answered. You are your own best advocate and the only way to do that is to ask questions and educate yourself. If this turns out to be something instead of nothing, the breast center will refer you to a breast surgeon. Each step of the way you'll be referred to the next doctor you need to see by the one you're currently seeing. Hoping it does turn out to be nothing! Keep us posted.

Delete_my_profile

I never thought I was wasting my time. That's how the breast clinic made me feel. Not everyone is nice. They don't have to be touchy feely I never expected that. What I did expect is when my doctor sent a referral for me to talk to someone about the biopsy and what my options are, ask questions, etc that I would have been given an appt. it didn't work that way. My dr said they will not meet with me before the biopsy. I called to ask about it. I talked to 3-4 different people and got nowhere. My dr said she tried to get me an appt and was told I could not get an appt. she said the only way I could see a breast specialist is if I transferred to a different facility. This facility has been doing my scans but won't let me talk to a doctor about any of it. I live in a rural area. This one is an hour and a half away. Even my dr is hour and 20 mins away. I just wanted to talk to someone. I even emailed a dr telling them I have questions and just want a consultation, my insurance will pay it. I was begging for an appt. The next day someone from clinic called me and told me they work with the dr I emailed and if I really insist on seeing someone before my biopsy that they will schedule an appt with a breast specialist/surgeon. I was already pretty much told it would be a waste of time. I said not to me it wouldn't and I would like to talk with someone. From the moment I walked in I was talked down to. I was told my appt wasn't even necessary and if someone would have explained the procedure to me that I wouldn't even have a need to be there. It was clear that I was wasting their time. I didn't bother asking all my questions. When I left I got in the elevator and cried. I drove an hour and a half one way to talk to a doctor who I was scheduled to see but never saw her. This is a breast clinic/ cancer center. Why am I not allowed to talk with a doctor? I wanted to skip the biopsy. They have repeatedly told me that's it prob nothing because mri is sensitive. That since mri is the only thing that can see that tumor, it's prob nothing. They have drilled it into my head that I wasted their time and it's prob nothing. I'm going to do the biopsy just I have confirmation that it is nothing and I wasted their time. But I do not want them calling me with my results. If I have cancer which they are sure I do not, I will not go to that clinic. I won't waste anymore of their time. I'm so frustrated at how they made me feel. I won’t ever go back there.

Lula73

I’m so sorry that was your experience. I wasn’t saying that you wasted your time, but rather not to let them make you feel that you wasted yours or their time. You and your insurance are paying them for their time & expertise so you deserve to get the answers. If they bill you or insurance for that visit I’d fight it since you didn’t get to see the doc or get your questions answered. Was there a copay you had to pay at checkin? If so, I’d want that money back too. In the medical world what you’re asking for is considered touchy feely as they are comfortable with process and telling you where to be when vs explaining and answering questions. It may not be the experience you’ve had with other medical encounters and it’s not true for all centers, but it is for most. Medicine is about business now, not people and the bigger the center the worse it intends to be.

Is there a breast or general surgeon involved anywhere in this process to date? Usually they are the ones to give you all the information. Perhaps they’re assuming that a surgeon already talked with you. For the biopsy, the dr doing it will usually brief you right before the procedure on what to expect during the procedure and afterwards give you instructions about aftercare. Definitely put your mind at ease and have the biopsy. Will it be mri guided I’m guessing? Hoping it goes smoothly and results are benign.🍀

Delete_my_profile

I don't wish to discuss it anymore. It upsets me. I will never go back there again, regardless of my diagnosis!