MRI guided biopsy on 12/1/20

Artemis15

I’m 57 and have very dense breast tissue and every year have a 3D mammogram and double breast ultrasound. No family history. My left breast has always had many cysts that have needed extra ultrasounds. This year the radiologist saw what she said was an architectural distortion on the ultrasound—I’ve never had a mammogram that showed anything because of my breast density. The radiologist said I could wait 6 months or she could try to do a biopsy (but couldn’t really see anything specific to biopsy) or I could have an MRI. Three days later I had a breast MRI with and without contrast. Report came back with 1 area with possible DCIS. Unfortunately at the time I didn’t know what questions to ask I think dr said it was either 1/2 cm or 1 cm. At the time I didn’t know to ask about BIRADs so I don’t have more information. I am scheduled for a guided MRI biopsy this Tuesday 12/1. It’s almost been a month since my initial screening. I’ve been so scared of this for years. I have a 15 year old daughter that is the light of my life. And now very nervous for biopsy and waiting for the results. I’m glad I found this forum. So much great information on various treatments and experiences.

LivinLife

Welcome TLW! You're in good company here with many understanding this worry even if in different ways. The waiting is the hardest time. I'd add, esp. when you don't know what is really going on with your body yet and what the plan is. The biopsy will clarify what is going on and will help in developing a plan. It may seem difficult to believe now though you will be able to walk whatever your path is. There is a lot of support and helpful information for you on this site. The latter will be more helpful once you know what is actually going on.

Moderators

Welcome, TLW! We're so sorry for your worry, we know the waiting is so hard. Please keep us posted on what you learn!

The Mods

leaf

I just had another MRI breast biopsy last Sept. It just showed some atypical cells (which I've had several times before, and I have different risk factors than you have.)

Waiting is very hard.

In general, breast MRIs do catch more breast cancers in women with very dense breasts, but, still the number of breast cancers found is quite low. In this 2019 study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31774954/ they invited about 8000 women who had a normal mammogram and extremely dense breasts to have, in addition, an MRI, of which about 60% accepted. So you have roughly 60% of 8000 women or about 4800 women who got a breast MRI. In these 4800 women, they found 20 interval cancers that were diagnosed in the MRI-invitation group, 4 were diagnosed in the women who actually underwent MRI (0.8 per 1000 screenings). So that is about 4 out of 4800, or about 0.1%, who were diagnosed with an interval cancer (in other words during the 2 year screening interval.) Different studies differ, but this is the latest study I could find about breast MRIs in women with very dense breasts.

I'm putting out this data in order to try to help comfort you. Apparently the women in this study did not have an ultrasound like you have had, which would presumably increase the rate of breast cancer. But 0.1% is a pretty low number to start with.

For me, nothing takes away the 'But what if' thoughts, but if you are like the women in this study it was quite low. Please let us know how it goes for you.

Artemis15

Thank you for your reply. I’ve endured a lot of trauma in my life so I know I have the strength and courage in me somewhere to walk this path. But that trauma also makes the path difficult because I often expect the worst. I have a good therapist who is helping me get through this and have a few friends in my town who have gone through BC who have already been helpful.

A month ago I had a cervical cone biopsy done with a gynecological oncologist. When I went for my follow up for that surgery, I had her look at my breast MRI. She said that it was likely DCIS and that MRIs are pretty right on. I didn’t know what else to ask at the time so I don’t have more info.

I know I will feel better when I have a plan. It’s the not knowing that is especially hard. I’m just hoping that I don’t get upgraded to invasive. I’ve decided not to tell my daughter anything until I have a plan. It’s really hard keeping it together around her but I’m doing okay with that. Thanks for your support.

leaf

In my book, there is no need to apologize. Several people here, while they were waiting to be diagnosed, were planning their funerals, down to the songs to be played. I'm not trying to belittle them: some people are scared out of their wits. Emotions do not believe in statistics, especially if you have had trauma.

I think that 'Expecting the worst' is probably part of our DNA, though I think people who have a history of trauma have it worse. Just think, if you were in the savanna, and saw the grass sway, its the people who guessed it was a lion in the grass that had a chance of surviving, not the people who just thought the wind was blowing. The people who thought it was just the wind blowing got eaten.

The only way you can get diagnosed for sure with breast cancer (except perhaps the unusual inflammatory breast cancer, which you don't have the symptoms for) is to take a piece of breast tissue and look at it under the microscope. In this study of breast MRI biopsies, Of the 155 biopsied lesions, 23 (15%) were malignant, 106 (68%) were benign, and 26 (17%) were high risk https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28835335/

I'm so glad you have the help of a good therapist. I found that invaluable too.

Hang in there. You've met huge challenges before. You have every right to feel whatever you are feeling. Let us know how it goes.

Artemis15

Well, I would prefer never to go through that again! In and out of the MRI machine several times—almost 1 1/2 hours total. Poking and prodding with needles. 7 samples taken of the one area. Didn't hurt too much then but is painful now with an ice pack on it. Nurse couldn't get the IV in correctly—ouch. They inserted a clip in my breast in case of surgery or further testing. All of the staff were very sweet. And of course the Valium helped.

Radiologist today said I had a BIRADS score of 4. I didn't ask for the letter because I was too scared. I'm trying to keep my mind on the chance of it being benign which overall for 4 is 60-80%. These days I'm not too hot on statistics though since my chance of getting breast cancer at my age with all of my risks is like 3% and right now it feels much higher than that.

Radiologist said that when the contrast dye was injected in the MRI, my area of concern didn't light up quickly meaning it could be benign or a low grade cancer but there is also a possibility of it being invasive. She did mention again the architectural distortion which scares the hell out me after a little research. At this point I don't want to read my radiology reports. I think I'll just wait for the biopsy results. Ugh. Tonight I'm really freaking out.

Anyway, now the wait begins. Should hear by the end of the week.

Thanks leaf for your kind words. My therapist told me that story of the savanna and those who run when the grass moves are likely to survive so it is built in our DNA. And you are correct, (for me)having a history of childhood abuse exacerbates that primalfear.

LivinLife

Thanks for letting us know how things went Artemis! I tell you - what you described with the in and out of the MRI machine, etc. is just another reason I'm so glad I had a BMX! I never had the MRI guided biopsy though had a breast MRI and three stereotactic biopsies - so glad I won't have to have those again! Please let us know when you hear about results. Be kind to yourself during the waiting - taking good care of you the best you can....

Artemis15

I just got call from my dr with pathology results from yesterday’s biopsy. All clear! I can’t believe it. I’m flabbergasted. Pathology just showed fibrocystic changes. Nothing atypical at all. I’m in shock and disbelief. Follow up mammogram in 6 months.Thank you all for your kind words and support.

LivinLife

Awesome Artemis!!! Give yourself time for this news to settle in - I hear your shock... Glad they will follow up in 6 months too. That will offer more assurance during this interim.