Radial Scar and MRI

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Colleen0522
Colleen0522 Member Posts: 9
edited June 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hello all. I am new to this site. I just wanted to share my story, as I have read so many of yours and I feel like I am part of this group now, like it or not.

I am 48 years old with no prior family history of BC. I have been getting Mammograms and Ultrasounds faithfully for 10 years. My breasts are very dense, and are "busy" so I have had many a call back over the years. Now they just do a Mammo for me at one time of the year, and then in 6 months an ultrasound, so I am checked twice yearly. Anyway...................

This past time I had my mammo I received a BIRADS 0, architectural distortion. Had follow up 3d Mammo and then an ultrasound. They were concerned with a star like area, that was very suspicious for cancer. Next was the Core needle biopsy and it came back a benign radial scar. During all this imagining they saw some other things, something under the radial scar and something else. (they are less suspicious I am told about these areas), but I had an MRI on Tuesday.

I already met with a breast surgeon, who advises me that the Radial scar must come out, and depending on the MRI, we will come up with a plan.

I am just scared, just plain scared. Hard to focus at work...I feel nauseous a lot (my nerves are shot). Waiting on the MRI results is just brutal. I know my story is not special, and for certain a lot better than so many people (so far). I just feel very alone, even though I have a wonderful support system, family and friends- being in that MRI tube was the most alone I have ever felt in my life, and so much is coming into a new perspective now.

Thanks for listening, and thank you for this site.

Colleen

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  • Helpful
    Helpful Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2019

    I had a radial scar removal about 12 years ago.  I have had follow up mammograms every year since then.  I also have dense breast tissue.  Yesterday morning I received a phone call and they want me to come in for an ultra-sound after my most recent mammogram.  I am also scared.  The radial scar removal was not cancer.  

    I know how you feel.  

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2019

    Hi ladies, and welcome, Helpful! We're sorry you're here and waiting, but you've come to a wonderful, supportive place for doing so. We know it's not easy, but please, try to keep your mind out of the worse case, and let us know how it all goes. We're thinking of you!

    The Mods

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  • Trying2staypositive
    Trying2staypositive Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2019

    Hi, I am new here. Im 46.I have family hx of breast cancer (mom and grandma) and dense breasts too-now I need a biopsy on a small cluster of microcalcifications in two weeks, and a breast MRI w contrast for another architectural distortion on the same side thats unrelated. The radiologist has no idea what the distorted area is-it was caught on a 3D mammo (always had 2D before) but the ultrasound really couldnt see it. Definitely scared so I know how you feel. The thought I could end up with not only one breast biopsy but two?? And the chances of both being benign- while possible-still may result in surgery. (They also told me it could be a benign radial scar even though I never had any prior surgeries, and it would need to come out.) Its alot and will take weeks for all this to be sorted out. Probably three weeks for the first biopsy plus results and then God knows how long after that for the second one since I still need to do an MRI with contrast before any MRI biopsy. Thats assuming the first one (calcifications) is not actually breast cancer. If it is I think that's going to change the game plan. The radiologist said the calcifications are not highly suspicious but still suspicious so that made me feel a little better at least. She is more worried about the distortion that needs more mri evaluation it seems. Any words of wisdom would sure help. This is coming at a very bad time at work where I cannot be missing time because they are shorthanded. As a result I am not saying much about any of this because I don't want them to freak out because I really don't have the time to take. A day here and there would be fine, but anything more and it would not work for them.

    Anyway i know how you feel-I think all we can do is wait.

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  • Colleen0522
    Colleen0522 Member Posts: 9
    edited June 2019

    Hi there! Well I certainly know exactly how you feel. First up, a Radial Scar is not necessarily caused by any prior surgeries. Mine was biopsied and identified as a radial scar and I have never had surgery. It can be due to breast changes due to peri-menopause and things like that. Most Radial scars, (if that is what you have) turn out to be benign. My biopsy was benign, but regardless it has to come out anyway. I am not sure what your work schedule is like, but my surgeon advised me I can go back to work in a few days, so mine is scheduled for a Thursday, so I only have to take off Thurs and Friday and back to work Monday. Hopefully you can schedule something like that. Then they re-biopsy the entire thing, and my Surgeon advised that it will most likely all be benign, but even if it is not, he advises it would be a very pre stage type of cancer. Like you, my radial scar was not seeable on the ultrasound, only the 3d mamo.

    It showed up as architectural distortion.

    The biopsy was not bad at all! I had a stereotactic biopsy, which you will probably have as well. Basically you lay down and they put your breast back in a mammogram machine and numb you. It was literally just a pinch and I did not feel anything else. Recovery was super quick...was sore (but not that bad) for about a day. I got my results in 2days. I hope they do that for you as well.

    Regarding your micro calcifications..obviously only a biopsy/MRI can tell... but if it makes you feel better, I literally know like 10 different women with calcifications and all were benign! Its actually very common, especially as we get older, I am 48.

    I know its easier said then done, but try to remain calm and positive. I did the opposite and researched breast cancer to the point I may be able to get my doctorate in it! :-) I panicked for 3weeks, threw up, sick to my stomach, lost 6 pounds (I was ok with that) :-) And in the end NONE of that helped at all. It just increased my blood pressure, normally I am 110/70 but during those 3weeks I averaged 180/90 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its nuts how stress affects you.

    I am schedule for surgery on Thursday of next week. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and keep us posted. Good luck and remember this will most likely turn out to be just a giant scare and everything will be ok! Even if it is not, everything is going to be ok

    Colleen


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  • Colleen0522
    Colleen0522 Member Posts: 9
    edited June 2019

    Hi Helpful. Thanks for telling me about your radial scar! Try not to worry about the ultrasound, usually they order those to just confirm that you have a benign cyst, or something like that. I have had many MANY ultrasounds and all of them turned out to be cysts, or something to that affect. It is so scary going through this and I totally know exactly how you are feeling right now. Rest assured most ultrasounds will just confirm that you are fine.

    Have faith!

    Colleen

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited June 2019

    Trying2staypositive, I would try to schedule the first biopsy and the MRI later in the day if possible so I could just miss a couple of hours of work. You should be fine to go back to work the day after either of the stereotactic and MRI biopsies - I actually could have gone to work right after them if I had to, although I'm glad I didn't. Even if you need an excisional surgical biopsy you would probably only need to miss the day after. You may have lifting restrictions for a few days after either kind.

    A radial scar has nothing to do with scarring in the sense you are thinking. Another term for radial scar is "complex sclerosing lesion."

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  • Trying2staypositive
    Trying2staypositive Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2019

    Thanks so much Colleen0522 and MelissaDallas. Your responses and advice help alot! Colleen0522 I wish you all the best on your surgery that all is well during and after. Hugs!!

    Im definitely having the mammo guided stereostatic biopsy for my calcifications in two weeks. Results take 3-5 business days so they are trying to schedule my MRI for the distortion for the day when I get those results. They mentioned if that MRI led to another biopsy it would be done another day with an MRI machine… Not exactly sure why... it could be the location it is in my breast maybe? Maybe better visualization than on mammo? I am not certain. She mentioned that if I needed a biopsy from the MRI there is also some other kind of 3-D biopsy procedure they can do instead, but they dont do that there. Not certain if she meant using 3d mammo even though they have the machine?. I honestly didn’t know what she was talking about but I am a few steps ahead worrying about it so I decided not to. I should mention I did have a breast MRI about 10 years ago because they saw something on mammo also and I was very dense (even younger in my 30s) and and it turned out to be fibrocystic changes in the same breast. Nothing else was done but 6 mo follow ups for awhile. Not sure if seeing the same...that MRI was too old and they couldn’t get it anymore. So old probably couldnt be used for much now.

    No one seems in a terrible hurry...I guess this is par for the course. They are a womens center affiliated w my ob gyn. At this point changing facilities for biopsy etc may take longer. What do you all think? I am not sold that I would stay w that group for surgery or not...

    Ive been waiting a month for the diagnostic tests since screening only because the other imaging center wouldnt release my records forever so I had to get them. Once they had comparisons it took a week to get my other screening exams and the radiologist told me results on the spot. So Iknow about worrying for sure. Already been there. Thats why this dragging on is not cool for sure!

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  • Trying2staypositive
    Trying2staypositive Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2019

    I should also mention that the timing on the mri wouldnt work the same day of the first biopsy bc of my cycle. They said my period affects results. So when I get the result should be perfect timing for the mri testing.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited June 2019

    I don't think anything going on screams emergency (one you know they think is low probability) or trying to get in anyplace a few days sooner unless you just want to change for other reasons.

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  • Trying2staypositive
    Trying2staypositive Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2019

    thanks Melissa 😊 I appreciate your input. Easy to freak out before needed-I think its my history and that I have a child at homethat has me on alert.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited June 2019

    Pretty much the only "emergency" with a breast cancer diagnosis is with a presentation of inflammatory breast cancer. As far as anything else, a few weeks (or longer) would rarely make any difference.

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