Multiple masses on MRI?

Options
Wigging2000
Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
edited November 2018 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hoping to get any thoughts/experiences...

I have IDC in my left breast, grade 2, 1.8 cm. Went for MRI and all I was told by my doctor is that there was no evidence of metastatic disease. When my report popped up in my online portal though, it describes three additional masses within 3cm of the original tumor. They are 5-16 mm in size, noted “suspicious” and BIRADS 4 with recommendation of u/s and biopsy if “clinically appropriate”.

Has anyone experienced other masses showing up on MRI? Did they biopsy them, or just remove them? I don’t understand why the doctor didn’t share this info with me :(

Any thoughts welcome. I’m scared....still..

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Cherryi3
    Cherryi3 Member Posts: 68
    edited November 2018

    Hi Wigging,

    I’m sure the findings in your portal are really concerning you. I also had a suspicious area on MRI which ended up being biopsied and removed during the biopsy. It was a cyst with atypical cells.I find it strange that your Dr didn’t mention those suspicious areas. I wonder if they appear to be cysts? Were those areas described as having vascularity or irregular borders etc? If you have a nurse navigator, you could put in a call and ask for specifics. For me personally, I would be going nuts wondering what the deal was. The area on my MRI was B9, but my BS told me she wanted to be sure before surgery. Good luck with your answers!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited November 2018

    I didn't think MRI's picked up "masses" per se. THey light up areas of concern, but that doesn't always mean cancer. Mine was "guaranteed" not to be cancer, but was. My twin sister had an MRI that lit up in the same area and hers was b-9. All technology has room for error regardless of how confident the docs are.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Wigging2000
    Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
    edited November 2018

    Cherry, The MRI just labels the masses as suspicious for malignancy, masses with nodular enhancement. No description of borders or anything.

    I’m definitely going to call my nurse navigator tomorrow. I know they are waiting for BRCA, etc genetic testing so maybe they are wanting to give me all the results at once. I personally like to have every little piece of info. I was doing somewhat ok (relatively speaking) but reading that there are other areas of concern definitely freaked me out. Thanks for commiserating with me!

    Wallycat, they are definitely described as masses. They are smaller than my originally dx’d tumor, but still definitely labeled as masses. I wish they weren’t!!! Glad to see from your signature line that you came through your treatment well...thanks for checking in with me.

    I’m just wanting to get this stuff OUT...like yesterday...and hope that these things don’t delay my surgery significantly. MRI was last Monday with results to doc by Tuesday and tumor board met on my case last Tuesday, so I’m hoping that if more biopsies were needed, then I’d have been notified.



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cherryi3
    Cherryi3 Member Posts: 68
    edited November 2018

    Wigging,

    If it’s any comfort to you, my report stated “highly suspicious rare atypical cells”. I just about lost it. I had myself convinced I would lose my breast. You’re correct that more biopsies means delayed surgery as was my case. I’m so sorry you have to go through this. I know how bad it sucks but it might very well be a benign condition. I will watch this thread for good news from you

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Wigging2000
    Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
    edited November 2018

    Cherry, that is so scary! I would have absolutely lost it had I seen that.

    I am still waiting! I called and talked to the nurse navigator today who had no answers but she's going to try and get clarification on what needs to be done next. I was extremely frustrated today. I'm going to go to another cancer center at a larger hospital for a second opinion on Thursday. I'm looking forward to seeing what they have to say.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited November 2018

    Hi everyone..I was diagnosed with a small IDC form a 3D mammogram. I was about to have a lumpectomy with IOR but when I had a preoperative MRI things changed. Five suspicious lumps showed up! I had then all biopsied and only one came back positive. It was ILC which typically does not show up on mammograms. I chose a BMX due to difficulty in screening. I'm a avid believer in MRIs before any treatment decisions are made. Good luck to all

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cherryi3
    Cherryi3 Member Posts: 68
    edited November 2018

    I hear you dtad. The MRI is really useful for us “ dense tissue “ gals. Cherry, looks like you’ve got some more waiting to do. Sorry to hear that. Counting down my last 2 days til oncologist gives me the full report. Just picked up my son from the school clinic so praying he doesn’t give me a bug and delay this appointment. At least changing his barf bucket will give me something to do while I wait

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MBPooch
    MBPooch Member Posts: 229
    edited November 2018

    I also had two additional suspicious areas pop up on MRI. One in breast with DCIS and other in healthy breast. I did go ahead and have both biopsied and both came back b9.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Wigging2000
    Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
    edited November 2018

    Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I'm not having any luck getting answers from my providers regarding the additional areas of concern...so I'm seeking a second opinion from a different center. I was planning to anyway, this just lit a fire under me. I’ve had no communication from my doctor since my initial appointment on 11/2. Trying to be a patient patient but I’m not being informed properly of test results in my opinion. Wish me luck for my appointment on Thursday


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sara536
    Sara536 Member Posts: 7,032
    edited November 2018

    Wigging2000, Wishing you good luck on finding more information in a timley manner. Always remember “the squeaky wheel gets the grease". I had the hardest time getting information about the tissue sample I personally delivered to UCSF for a second opinion. (I read somewhere that would speed things up- but NO) I respectfully waited double the time I was told to expect an answer - then I had to become a very squeaky wheel.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2018

    I do wish you luck for Thursday Wigging. I guess you are right and they are waiting for all results to give you informed choices for surgery options. Many of us found out post surgery that we had more than the original tumour they had seen. I know I did. An extra tumour was found in my left breast but in my case it didn't matter too much as BMX. It would make it more difficult if you were hoping for lumpectomy I think. The way I look at is if your breast likes growing tumours... not a bad idea to consider a mastectomy. However...you will have lots of info and the 2nd opinion is such a great idea. Don't be too concerned about any small time delays right now as IDC doesn't grow at a crazy fast pace like some other nasties do. I know how hard that is to do....but try to relax within the tension....f you know what I mean.

    We are all here for you.

    I have you in my prayers. Xx

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Wigging2000
    Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
    edited November 2018

    Thank you, Sara and Astrid. I am very anxious but also somewhat excited about second opinion appointments tomorrow, as I hope I will have a more definite surgery plan after that. Trying not to fret about the small delays...trying hard.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Wigging2000
    Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
    edited November 2018

    Well, I wanted to update. Second opinion day went well...received the news that I have a total of 5 areas of concern on the left side, and now have to get a MRI guided biopsy on the right due to an area on MRI that second opinion doctor saw (first opinion said normal right side).

    You may wonder why I consider this appointment to have gone “well"... because I now know that I am in the very best hands possible (with second opinion doctors). I even have a tentative surgery date. I'm having a bmx...biopsy is needed only to determine the need for sentinel node biopsy on the right during surgery.

    I'm now getting afraid of the surgery process but so much more comfortable with my care team...a weight has been lifted and thrown out the window!

    Hugs-

    Wigging

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2018

    I am so relieved that you feel you have the right teAm with you Wigging. That is so important. As for the surgery...well, you will be asleep...so hey, relax..those surgeons trained a long time to do what they do and it sounds like you have moved up to an A plus team. It will all be fine.

    Best wishes for the right breast biopsy. So glad you went with the 2nd opinion!! So sorry also that you have all this to deal with.

    Sending love and praying for an excellent outcome for you.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dani444
    Dani444 Member Posts: 522
    edited November 2018

    glad you are happy with your second opinion. I wish you the best on your MRI biopsy. My MRI had some areas light up, two on my cancer side. When I went back for the second biopsy they could only see one of the areas so only had the biopsy of that area. That was negative but the follow up mammo for clip placement was actually what led my surgeon to decide on mastectomy.

    As for surgery, it sounds like you are in very capable hands. Just make sure you keep up on a routine schedule for pain control when you get home. It’s easier than trying to catch up if your pain gets out of control. Best wishes for your upcoming biopsy and surgery

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories