Possible 2nd primary in opposite breats

2tails

I was diagnosed with DCIS 6 years ago. I had an excisional biopsy, radiation and completed 5 years of Tamoxifen. Things were going great, until the week of Thanksgiving. I had a screening MRI and it found linear and nodular non-mass enhancements. These findings were not visualized on mammogram or ultrasound. Two days ago I had an MRI guided biopsy. I tolerated the procedure quite well and had no difficulties with the biopsy itself. I'm a little sore, but nothing that I can't handle. Now I'm in the waiting game for results. Funny thing is I'm not in freak out mode like I was during the 1st diagnosis. I'm concerned and a little scared, but functional. I hope to get the results before Christmas, but I am not sure that is a possibility. Just wondering if anyone else has experience with abnormal findings only seen on MRI?

Georgia1

Hi 2tails and I send wishes for quick and good results from the biopsy. To answer your question - my primary tumor was found on a 3-D mammogram, but a tiny second spot was found on MRI only. I believe that MRI is a bit better at picking up trouble spots for women with dense breasts. And hold on to that great attitude -- sometimes "concerned but functional" is the best we can be!

2tails

Thank you Georgia1! I appreciate the support, kind words and sharing your experience.

LisaK12

I also had DCIS that was not seen on mammograms or initial ultrasound (had two mammograms and two ultrasounds within 7 months because I was having bleeding from the nipple, so we knew something was wrong). A tiny area of concern was finally observed on second ultrasound. MRI revealed nothing. Two biopsies later it became clear that I had DCIS. Two lumpectomies after that, without clear margins, it became clear that the DCIS was more widespread than shown on the imaging. Only after reading the pathology report following my double mastectomy did we learn that DCIS was throughout all four quadrants of the left breast, and I had LCIS, atypical ductal hyperplasia, and papillomas in the right "healthy" breast.

While the imaging technologies we have now are far better than nothing, for women like me with very dense breast tissue, they cannot be relied upon to detect 100% of whatever might be going on. If I hadn't been bleeding and had relied only on those tests, I would still have no idea that anything was wrong.

2tails

Good news, biopsy results showed fibrocystic change, no evidence of malignancy. They suspect the asymmetry is due to radiation treatments on the right side rather than atypical change on the left. The plan is a follow-up MRI in 6 months to be sure everything remains stable. Great news!! Thank you everyone for sharing your stories and support.

Georgia1

Great news! Thanks for sharing.