MRI - Possible False Positive?

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purplestargazer
purplestargazer Member Posts: 77
edited June 2017 in Just Diagnosed

I had a big scare today and am wondering if anyone else has gone through this. I had an MRI which showed no additional sites in the affected breast and no sites in the other breast. It showed very slight swelling in a lymph node, even though the original ultrasound showed no lymph involvement and we (several doctors and I) can't feel anything. The radiologist said it's likely an immune response to the biopsy.

What is driving me to distraction is that it also picked up a small spot on my liver.. The nurse who told me about it said I needed an ultrasound to confirm what it was. I completely freaked out because I couldn't get an appointment for Monday and then I'm leaving town for a week (doctor approved) before I start chemo. I started to think I had metastatic cancer even though I have no symptoms apart from the breast tumor diagnosis.

I called the doctor in a panic and she assured me that it's highly unlikely to be cancer. She said she's done hundreds of ultrasound follow-ups in cases like this and that in 11 years she's maybe had one patient turn up with actual cancer. She said MRI's have a high false positive rate.

She apologized that the nurse was not more clear and said I shouldn't worry about it until after I get back when they can get a clearer picture.

I'm no longer on the ledge but I'm still a little freaked out. I made her give me an Rx to go to another hospital ASAP. Should I still do that? Has anyone else experienced this type of false positive with MRI?

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited June 2017

    Of course there are false positive with all kinds of scans - and blood tests for that matter. I would put it aside and go ahead with your vacation plans. Your doc sounds very reassuring.

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited June 2017

    agree with minustwo. Can it be metastasis or a separate primary cancer? Yes. But Odds are it's a hemangioma or a hepatic adenoma (especially if you used hrt or birth control pills). Go on your vacation and put it to the back of your mind while you enjoy the time off with your family. Worrying won't give you any answers any faster.

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited June 2017

    MRIs are notorious for false positives. Really really. Is the rx to another hospital so you can get the ultrasound before your trip? If you're going to worry yourself sick, it might be worth getting the US done before you leave.

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited June 2017

    I would be on the ledge too. If you got the script to go elsewhere I'd go before the trip and have the results sent to your doc. GL

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited June 2017

    I don't think OP will be able to get new test results before she leaves on vacation. Personally, I think that waiting would cause even more stress. What I said earlier - go on your vacation then deal with it. It's only for a week and your doctor gave her approval & reassurance.

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  • purplestargazer
    purplestargazer Member Posts: 77
    edited June 2017

    Thanks everyone. I found a facility to do an ultrasound on Monday. I'll be away when I get the results, for better or for worse.

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  • purplestargazer
    purplestargazer Member Posts: 77
    edited June 2017

    Just to close the loop - I went for my ultrasound today. The tech could not find a mass on my liver. She said it was also reported as a very unusual shape on the MRI report. She thinks since it was a breast MRI and not an abdominal MRI that it was a false positive. I need to wait for final sign-off from the radiologist but the tech was fairly certain there was nothing there. She said she should easily be able to see a 1 cm tumor - she can usually see tumors that are just a few mm.

    I'm feeling much better.

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited June 2017

    Glad you're feeling better! I would believe a 1cm tumor should be able to be seen, so that makes sense. Do get the final report from the radiologist for your records!

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