MRI sees DCIS as a malignancy?

breastquest

Reading over MRI report tonight.... that surgeon said was 'clean'. It was. But, why does the MRI radiologist refer to stage O Dcis as a breast cancer malignancy? I thought is was not really considered cancer, but more a 'precancer' condition? The report uses the phrase--biopsy proven malignancy? After all I've read about DCIS, it seems 'malignancy' sounds like a more serious invasive condition, not the nature of DCIS? I really thought in 2020 it was not referred to a cancer at the O stage....

Couldn't they be more specific, or is that just how it is....?

MyBestFriends

I also had DCIS stage 0 on my right breast. Lumpectomy surgery was 4 weeks ago. I am still swollen and minor bruised. Radiation starts next week. Unfortunately I had an ultrasound biopsy on my left breast a week before lumpectomy surgery that went terribly wrong. Dr. couldn't locate the "area of concern" and was poking and prodding with the needle until he found the spot....or thought he did. I had excessive bleeding and they called in another doctor to help. Lots more to that but I digress. Consequently at that time they could not do the follow up mammogram to verify the marker. Had a mammogram just last week to verify the marker and it was located where my bra strap starts! No where near the area of concern. Thus I am getting an MRI in two weeks to check the "area of concern". My question is how long did your MRI take? Did you have any trouble with your neck - arms or any other part of your body while laying face down. Right now I am working on exercising my arm over my head for the radiation and want to prepare for the MRI. I could not find any topics about Breast MRI or Ultrasound guided biopsy on this site.

Beesie

It is not consistent as to whether DCIS is considered a cancer or a pre-cancer. Some experts and medical sites call DCIS a cancer while others do not.

Most definitions of cancer include 3 criteria: 1) abnormal cells; 2) uncontrollable cell growth; and 3) the ability of the cells to move to a different location in the body and metastasize. DCIS meets the first two criteria, but DCIS does not metastasize. This is the reason why DCIS is sometimes considered to be a pre-cancer rather than a cancer. But because DCIS cells are abnormal and have uncontrolled growth, it is also fair to say that DCIS cells are malignant. Most pathology reports do refer to a finding of DCIS as "malignant".

Jelson

Hi MyBestFriend, I have had several breast MRIs, you will probably have an iv containing contrast inserted prior, which will actually be given during the MRI.I could feel when they administered the contrast though I can't remember whether it was a cold or warm sensation. I was in a prone position with my arms extended, kind of flying like superman, my head down on a comfy cushion and my breasts dangling below. So there is set up time but the actually MRIs took about 20 minutes.There are loud clanking sounds - totally weird but not frightening. My main concerns have been how to amuse myself for twenty minutes - my best MRI was when I thought about seating arrangements for my daughter's wedding.

There have been many MRI discussions on this board because some people are claustrophobic and prefer open MRI machines and take sedatives before hand. didn't have any problems with my MRIs and I hope you don't either.

breastquest

Thx, for the reply.