HELP. I am so confused.

elisa60

I was diagnosed with third stage breast cancer about five months ago. I have finished my last round of chemotherapy. I went Wednesday 12/19/2018 to the radiation to have a mammogram done so I could have a scout (locator) put in my breast so my surgeon could see where the remaining cancer were so it can be removed.

Well after I had the mammogram done the radiation doctor came in and told me that they could not see any tumor and she said she is going to schedule me a appointment to have a MRI done on my breast and I was scheduled for my lumpectomy today 12/21/2018 the radiation doctor told me to cancel my surgery date.

I start asking questions about is the cancer gone and she said we just cannot see it and that's why she is sending me for a MRI done. I am so confused now and I cannot sleep, have this ever happen to anyone else? I know nobody is a doctor but I just want to know have anyone else ever gone through this.

edwards750

No I haven’t but my guess is they just want to be cautious and sure thus the MRI. I know it’s unnerving but the MRI should provide them with the info they need prior to surgery.

Try not to worry. I know exercise in futility but stay busy. You’ll know a lot more after the MRI. Btw lots of women I know have had them several times during the process.

Diane

NancyD

Well done, chemo! This is what they call a complete response. The MRI is to check to see if there is any residual cancer that the mammo doesn't see. If they see anything, they will then have you reschedule your surgery and remove it. They need to know where it is so they get it all—and at the same time take as little as possible to avoid disfigurement.

Meow13

elisa, good news sounds like the chemo worked well. The MRI should help locating remains. Good luck to you.

ElaineTherese

Not to be a Debbie Downer, NancyD, but the only way to determine whether or not someone has a pathological complete response (PCR) is surgery. That's why elisa60's doctor is looking to place a surgical clip -- surgery will occur even if it appears as though the lump has disappeared. Elisa60, didn't your doctor place a surgical clip to mark your lump during your biopsy? My cancer "disappeared" during chemo, but the clip told the surgeon where it had been. He took out a golf-ball sized amount of tissue around the clip. Good thing he did, too. There was still a tiny pocket of high grade DCIS there.

Good luck, elisa60. It may very well be that you have had a PCR, which would be awesome. But, only surgery can determine whether or not a PCR has really occurred.

Meow13

That is right, they should have placed a clip in after biopsy. That should show up clearly on the mammogram.

WC3

elisa60:

First, congradulations on completing chemotherapy! I know you were afraid to start it but it sounds like it went well and now you are done with it!

I had a clip placed at the time of my first biopsy, and an MRI before I started chemotherapy and after my 4th of 6 infusions. My doctors could not spot the cancer on the 2nd MRI but I could spot it (or where it was?) and pointed it out. I had a mastectomy so knowing the exact location wasn't as vital as if I were to have a lumpectomy but by the time of my surgery they only found some DCIS.