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melanie100
melanie100 Member Posts: 16
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

After two abnormal mammos and a cyst aspiration, I went in for a breast MRI. I just got the results  -- it came back level 3 in two areas (one in each breast).  The report said I could opt for a MRI biopsy, or I could wait 6 months for follow up MRI.  I have no idea which is preferable.  I know MRIs have a lot of false positives; and I know that sometimes doing a biopsy can create scar tissue making future screenings possibly more difficult.  On the other hand, It seems to me that if I am going to have to get into that machine again in 6 months anyway, might as well get in it now and do the biopsy and get it over with.  I am thinking about an appt. with the breast surgeon who aspirated the cysts to get his opinion, but don't surgeons generally want to cut? 

Any thoughts on this would be very much appreciated.

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  • artsci1
    artsci1 Member Posts: 98
    edited March 2009

    Hi melanie100,

    Is the surgeon a breast surgeon, perhaps he could guide you better.  My breast surgeon was good at answering question, not just cutting.  She was good about weighing all the issues.  I did have some abnormal looking films and fna, so I got the lumps removed - thankfully b9 !  I'm glad I did it because I didn't have to keep wondering.  Just one small scar you can see and the other scar you can't see cause of where she put it.  She did a good job, and 6 months later got a follow up digital mammo and everything looked good.  So, if you trust this surgeon, perhaps you should at least talk with him.  Take care.  Tell us what you decide.

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  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited March 2009

    Fine needle aspirations rarely cause scar tissue, and it is not common for core biopsies to cause scar tissue that makes it harder to read a mammogram.  Excisional biopsies can cause scar tissue.

    In this study, about 5% of the vacuum assisted core biopsies showed a scar as seen by mammogram. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16784949

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  • emanresu
    emanresu Member Posts: 60
    edited March 2009

    Have you had an ultrasound? Sometimes the radiologist can see with the ultrasound and do a procedure then.

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  • melanie100
    melanie100 Member Posts: 16
    edited March 2009

    Hi everyone, thank you so much for the imput.  Emanresu, I did have the ultrasound, which showed the cysts which lead to the aspiration (they looked complex but they were okay upon aspiration -- he sent the aspirate off for analysis because it was bloody, which freaked me out a bit, but it came back okay.)

    I liked the breast surgeon who did the aspiration, so I have set an appt. with him.  I am leaning towards the biopsy.  I just have a lot going on....mother with BC, dense breasts, numerous cysts, fibroadenomas (sp?) never had children, etc.  I think I would rather err on the side of caution.  My understanding is that a 3 rating means it's probably okay, but I would still like to know.

    Thanks again for the imput, I really appreciate it.

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  • idaho
    idaho Member Posts: 1,187
    edited March 2009

    I would definately get the biopsy done,  It is easier than worrying about it, and you will probably be fine and not have to worry about it any more!  good luck.

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