Monitoring AFTER treatment for breast cancer

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Katmil426
Katmil426 Member Posts: 15
edited May 2016 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I am now a bit more than a year from my initial diagnosis of stage Ia IDC, estrogen and progesterone positive, HER2 +. I had neoadjuvant chemo, lumpectomy, and radiation with a full year of Herceptin infusions and am now on femara. My question is about the kind of monitoring after treatment. I have had my first post-treatment mammogram and ultrasound plus I am seeing my radiologist and MO every 3 months. SO far there has been no recommendation for a breast MRI (I had one as part of my diagnosis and then after chemo and before surgery). Does anyone know the clinical guidelines for use of Brest MRI on a regular basis after treatment. What experience have the rest of you had with this? Thanks



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  • SissyK
    SissyK Member Posts: 22
    edited May 2016

    I had my lumpectomy 5 years ago this month.  I have only had one MRI, that was during diagnosis stage to insure that tumor found on mammogram was the only one.  After surgery/radiation, I saw RO annually, surgeon/oncologist every 6 months.   I had 2 mammograms during the first year after surgery, and then annually after that.  I get diagnostic mammograms.  That is my only screening. 

    I saw my RO for the last time in February and asked him about a MRI to insure that all is indeed clear.  He strongly recommended against having one, saying there are too many false positives.  Surgeon/oncologist appointment was 3 days ago and he, too, strongly recommended against a "screening MRI,"  repeating the false positive statement and assuring me that mammograms are the "gold standard" in screening.




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  • BarredOwl
    BarredOwl Member Posts: 2,433
    edited May 2016

    Hi Katmil426:

    Per your request, here is a link to the 2015 ASCO guideline on survivorship:

    ASCO Guideline: http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/early/2015/12/07/JCO.2015.64.3809.full

    Patient Information Page: http://www.cancer.net/research-and-advocacy/asco-care-and-treatment-recommendations-patients/follow-care-breast-cancer

    You can search "MRI" to find the relevant text. I agree with kayb that mammographic density is another consideration. Note that various recommendations appear to be population-based, do not mandate individual follow-up plans, and incorporate multiple considerations (e.g., public health policy). Thus, it is important to discuss your particular situation (e.g., personal risk profile, density) with your team and develop a screening plan tailored to your circucmstances.

    BarredOwl

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited May 2016

    I woud insist on a MRI if you have dense breasts....

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