Confused about MRI results

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Parttimeoptimist
Parttimeoptimist Member Posts: 4
edited March 2015 in Waiting for Test Results

This all started last summer when my family doctor found a palpable lump in my left breast. I had a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy which found nothing concerning. Still, a follow-up was scheduled for 6 months later. By then, three more palpable lumps appeared in the same breast, none of which showed up on a mammogram, but all were visible on ultrasound. It was decided that I should have a MRI. When my results came back I was told that all the lumps in my left breast looked fine, but there was an area of concern in my right breast. I can feel nothing on the right side. I am scheduled for an ultrasound and (tentative) biopsy. (It was my understanding that I may not need the biopsy if the lump/mass looked okay on the ultrasound.) Here's where I am confused: I've read that MRI's can easily highlight things that are not cancer. So, in my case, why can the 4 palpable lumps on the left side be determined to be okay, and yet the right side has some mystery mass? My assumption would be it's because it doesn't look like the the other "normal" lumps from the other side.....Which, of course,leads me to think that is not good news.....

Any information or experience others have had with a similar situation would be very helpful! Thanks in advance!

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  • DSW1976
    DSW1976 Member Posts: 118
    edited March 2015

    I had no palpable mass .  Mine was microcalcifications.  So even tho you cant feel it doesnt mean its not there.  Did they give you a birad score?   I would follow the recommendations they give you .  Good luck .  

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  • DSW1976
    DSW1976 Member Posts: 118
    edited March 2015

    Also they knw what they are looking at .  Meaning if they think there us even the slightest chance it can be cancer they would act on it like they are doing on the right side .   My cancer was on my right side after I was diagnosed a lymphnode on my left armpit swelled to a grape the body does insaine things and it was beningn yet I had a lymph node on right come back positive it never swelled.   

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  • alicki
    alicki Member Posts: 661
    edited March 2015


    Hello,

    Imaging isn't perfect, I told my doc the other day that until it's under a microscope, no one can know! Looks ok, doesn't mean is ok! So, I would still push to get those four lumps biopsied for peace of mind and take care of what is on the right.

    We should be entitled to peace of mind. It's our bodies and if there's one thing I learnt is that only YOU can be your best advocate! Sad, but that's the way things are.

    Best

    Alicki

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  • DSW1976
    DSW1976 Member Posts: 118
    edited March 2015

    I agree 1,000% .  Alls you have to do is read story after story things missed and ignored so scary.   You have to be in control of your health.  Easier said than done boy do I know.  Im tough as nails yet with the Dr.'s I have no back bone and do what they say.  Be strong .......

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  • Parttimeoptimist
    Parttimeoptimist Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2015

    Thanks y'all.  I will ask about my MRI bi rad score. 

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  • SugarCakes
    SugarCakes Member Posts: 353
    edited March 2015

    DSW1976, can you share more about your micro calcifications? Was that the start of your diagnosis? I ask because at 40 I had my very first mammogram which was followed by a second mammogram the following day (different facility with more diagnostic equipment) and another 6 months later... All to keep an eye on calcifications. After the 3rd mammogram I was cleared. Just over a year later, I felt my own 4cm+ lump. I called the facility on Thursday and asked that they send me my mammogram pics from 2013. I'm curious to compare those to the ones in January 2015 when I was diagnosed.

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  • Annie88
    Annie88 Member Posts: 196
    edited March 2015

    Parttimeoptimist- I would definitely have everything checked out. If you can get a sonogram of the area too. I had an MRI and a 3D mammogram after my biopsy confirmed I had cancer. They found additional microcalcifications which they suspected may also be cancerous. Thankfully they were not. I am one that had a regular annual mammogram in January 2014, with not even a call back. In September I found a lump due to breast pain and it was malignant. I am not telling you to scare you, but early detection makes all the difference..

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  • Susug
    Susug Member Posts: 193
    edited March 2015

    I found a lump. Didn't show up on any imaging. My Dr said we won't know what it is unless we take it out. He told me he didn't think is was anything to worry about BUT believes if you can't see get it out. He did a lumpectomy. He still didn't think it was anything. Results come back CANCER. VERY SMALL. I would have them do a biopsy on all of them.Knowing what I know now and reading all these post. Good luck will be thinking and praying for you Susu

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  • Parttimeoptimist
    Parttimeoptimist Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2015

    Update....

    I went in for the ultrasound today and they want to do a biopsy. Spoke with the doctor and he said reassuring things...."saw some blood flow around it which makes it suspicious but could very well be a cyst....only 15% chance cancer...etc"

    All this seems like good news, but I still have nagging doubts because all the palpable lumps (4) in the left breast were of no concern after the MRI, though only 1 was present in Aug. (That lump was biopsied.), and the rest appeared in Jan. I'm not doubting that they're all okay (on the left side), just the fact that the right side is somehow different, and a concern. I'm probably being unclear, but, for example, one of the lumps on the left side was determined by the MRI to be a cyst, so what makes the right side different?

    Guess I will just have to wait and see..

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  • Susug
    Susug Member Posts: 193
    edited March 2015

    I think getting a biopsy will make you feel better. Peace of mind goes a long way

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