Recent DCIS Biopsy and MRI

mrkffr11 · February 2012

I recently was diagnosed with DCIS in left breast and was dealing quite well with the diagnoses. Relieved that the cancer was non invasive and after initial ultrasound where no 'lump' or mass was detected thinking this was very dealable molecular level diagnosis. Infact initial diagnosis helped me to start eating healthy, going to gym and almost completely quit smoking (still have the occasional when I worry - but working on it).

Today I got results of MRI screening before lumpectomy and DR is reporting another area of concern on left breast and 2 areas of concern on the right.

I understand that MRI can deliver false positive and my pathology report suggest fibrocystic changes and I do have dense breasts.

Another complication is that I started my period 3 days after MRI and as I read more I'm learning that my cycle can impact my MRI screen results.

Needless to say my cool demeanor from initial diagnose has rapidly deteriorated and I'm feeling paniced and am now smoking again.

Any advise or words of encouragement on the MRI screening would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

crystalphm · February 2012

I had a mastectomy for multifocal DCIS 20 months ago, and then 4 months ago, 3 spots showed up on my MRI that were suspicious. I had a major meltdown. I had a biopsy, they couldn't locate the spots, ultrasound couldn't locate the places, and finally a MRI biopsy which came back inconclusive!

I had enough, rather than have the 3 areas removed (I only had one breast anyway) I decided to have a second mastectomy...and my point to you is "there was NO cancer!!!".

I do not regret my choice, I don't live in such fear anymore...but there was no cancer when the MRI was sure there was!

mrkffr11 · February 2012

crystalphm, Thank you for sharing. I will talk to my DR about a second test when I'm not in my hormonal phase just before menstration. It has occured to me too that my father had an MRI as part of his colon cancer diagonsis that found suspicious areas in his kidney and since kidney is hard to biopsy they removed one of his kidneys and yes - found that it was not cancerous.

Thank you

CTMOM1234 · February 2012

I, too, was diagnosed with dcis in my left breast and BS sent me for an mri of both sides before my lumpectomy. MRI showed something suspicious in the right side -- that led to a biopsy and it fortunately was norma/benign conclusion.

Lots of false positives with mris. Think I, too, had my period around the time of my mri, never throught about that contributing until I saw your post.

The waiting and worrying are the worst parts of the journey, and whatever you need to get through it (smoking or whatever), just do it and you'll be glad when all of the testing is done and you can move on with a plan of attack. Good luck!

AlohaGirl · February 2012

I'm sorry you're having to go through this, but I understand that there are a lot of false positives with MRIs. Both of the places where I have had them will only do them during a certain window of time during your menstrual cycle so that definitely seems to make a difference. (Sorry, I don't remember what the window was!) Good luck!

Catrina · February 2012

I was diagnosed with dcis on January 23, and my surgeon wants an MRI before moving forward with any surgery. She said it has to be done on the 5th to 7th day after the start of the menstrual cycle to try and avoid false positives. I wasn't to happy to have to wait for that, but if it avoids more stress it will be worth it! Mine is scheduled for tomorrow, exactly the 7th day. Waiting and not knowing what will happen next is causing me a lot of stress.

Blinx · February 2012

Hate MRIs and their wonky results. When I was diagnosed, I had an MRI, and suspicious areas showed up in both breasts. Had to go in for 2 MRI-guided biopsies. One breast was completely clear, the other one (with the DCIS) showed an area of ADH. I think that's the reason I had whole-breast radiation.

Here's hoping that you get definitive answers that will guide your decisions. And yes, the waiting is the worst.

mrkffr11 · February 2012

Thank you Blinx. I'm so new to this. Please what is ADH? I don't know all the terms yet.

Thanks,

cinnamonsmiles · February 2012

ADH is atypical ductal hyperplasia. It is precancerous cells. The next step after ADH in cell mutation would be DCIS. Here is a link you might like.

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/dcis/diagnosis.jsp

cinnamonsmiles · February 2012

I had an MRI prior to my mastectomy. After all the crap I went through on the right side, I'd told myself if they even suspected anything on the left, I would just get a double mastectomy. The MRI ended up showing a mass on that side too. It turned out to be a benign tumor called PASH. The only treatment for it is surgery.

The only way too really know what they are on your MRI is to biopsy them. You could always get a second opinion. Be sure to ask your dr. if the time of your cycle and MRI could have effected the results. They may be able to tell you.

mrkffr11 · February 2012

MRI biopsy completed yesterday - I won't have results back for a few days. I was at day 7 of my cycle yesterday when I went back for biospy and the 'suspicious' areas were still present so all 3 areas where biopsied. Was at it for over 3 hours and very sore last night but much better this morning.

Both my breast surgeon, when giving me the initial MRI results and yesterday's radiology described my MRI scans as "complex" suggesting I have a lot of fibrocystic "stuff" and cysts.

I had taken a sedative prior to exam so not sure I understood properly if this 'stuff' is normal.

Anyone know if cysts in the breast are normal in pre-menopausal - I'm 47

Catrina · February 2012

I think that cysts can common at any age, I know that I had a few in past years that actually were gone on subsequent mammograms. I hope they turn out to be nothing to worry about for you. Good wishes to you for good results. I had my MRI on Friday, and thought my next step was seeing the surgeon this Friday. I got a call yesterday from the surgeon's office saying that she wants me to come in for another ultrasound. I don't understand that, what could they possibly see on an ultrasound now that they didn't see 3 weeks ago? I guess I have to start expecting surprises and not let them throw me into a fit of anxiety every time.

ej01 · February 2012

mrkffr, I have had cysts for 7 or 8 years (i am 49 now). I have been told several times that they are not cancer, they are not any sort of sign that cancer is present and they do not turn into cancer.

mrkffr11 · February 2012

I rec'd results of the 3 MRI guided biopies today and all three came back benign and fibrocystic adenomas (?) this was from verbal I've not seen report yet but greatly relieved.

Thank you all for your response posts and your encouragement.

i'll be following up on original DCIS diagnosis and treatement.

mrkffr11 · February 2012

I have a new question related to my recent biopsies.

Original diagnosis for DCIS was due to calcifications spotted on a Mammogram.

The original biopsy done was relatively quick easy and I recovered from it quickly with minimal visible result to the breast area - a very small pinprick on the skin and a tiny lump formed beneath the area.

The MRI screening I had resulted in 3 MRI guided biopsies. I had those done last week and 5 days later both breasts are still tender and more alarming is the yellowy color my entire breast is (I have small breasts) and I assume this is bruising.

When called back for additional screenings and biopsy for the calcifications I read up a bit on what breast calcifications could mean. One of the things that can out of my search was that calcifications could be a result of trauma to the breast. I had a broken coller bone on my left side in college and was holding out hope that I the fall that broke my coller bone perhaps I had some breast trauma that occered too. Anyway - calcifications did turn out to be DCIS in left b.

My question is - With the recent MRI biopsies this past week both breast look so traumatized. I'm worried that I'll be forever getting calcifications as result of the trauma and on a constant never ending biopsy cycle.

Any one hear from their Drs that biopsy = breast trauma?

crystalphm · February 2012

It is a valid concern. I had my left breast removed due to multifoal DSCI 21 months ago...then the remaining breast has been mammogrammed, MRI's, and didn't I end up falling on it, and calcification's began....finally 3 months ago I had a second mastectomy, I didn't like having only 1 breast and even more I came to realize I could not take emotionally all the vigilance and testing on the remaining side. I was pretty traumatized from the first cancer/surgery.

So in my own case, for different reasons, once I had cancer in the one breast, they looked in the other one non-stop (so to speak) and soon enough things showed up, which would have been a "wait and see" situation, but because I am a cancer survivor, immediate action was taken. I didn't expect this...

But I am ok with having he second mastectomy, I didn't realize how scared I was of cancer returning...

Recent DCIS Biopsy and MRI

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