Finally got a breast MRI

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. Worrying and not knowing are the worst. Has anyone done a skin biopsy on the area you or your doctors suspect may be cancer? I don't think MRI picks up inflammatory bc, but I don't know that for a fact. The only sure way is to have a pathologist look at it under a microscope. If you are worried and your regular docs aren't taking you seriously, why not go to a dermatologist and have them look at it. It could be something simple like eczema or psoriasis--allowing you to skip scans that can cause more harm down the line. Best to you.

I just googled and MRI CAN pick up inflammatory breast cancer, so hopefully you get some news soon and can get on with a full and happy life.

Worried, I'm so sorry you are going through this, I can tell you are incredibly worried and scared! I am in a similar situation with the waiting to discover what is occurring. I'll be having a biopsy next week due to concerning findings on my MRI.

I totally get the fear of them possibly missing the diseased location during a biopsy. I also understand the frustration of having obvious symptoms and not having answers as to the cause.

I have thought about this a lot and know if my biopsy comes back saying everything is completely normal, I am sure I'll continue to be stressed. To me it is obvious, due to clinical symptoms, something is going on. If the biopsy comes back normal I'll fear they missed whatever is going on. Good or bad I just really want to know what it is. So I get how frustrated you must be with still having no answers.

The information I've gathered about MRIs is that they are very sensitive. So the chance of it missing a cancer is very small. So if you get a clear MRI you can start looking at other possible causes. The radiologist who views the images will write a report and clearly state any abnormal findings, if there is not anything abnormal or concerning it will state that. You will have a BIRADS score and if they feel any further follow up is needed, that will be included in the report.

You have a right to a copy of the report, even if it was done privately. And your doctor will call you with the results, especially if something is seen on the imaging. You need to decide now that you will trust the results of the MRI, before you get the report. This is important to start working on reducing the understandable anxiety you have.

Anything I've seen about IBC says it is aggressive. The fact you've had these symptoms for 9 months means it would be virtually impossible for it not to show on the MRI at this point. So a clear scan really will logically eliminate that concern, if you choose to trust the result. Don't try to interpret the report yourself. Trust what the report says, and the interpretation of the scan by the radiologist and your doctor. If you don't understand something about the report post the part of your report you don't understand to the board "interpreting your reportc, and djmammo will tell you what it means. Don't use Google, the fear will just get you looking at only the worst possible scenarios instead of the most likely ones.

If the scan shows nothing, go back to your doctor and don't mention cancer. Explain and reiterate your concerns and that you are in pain. Explain you just want to find out why and get help with relieving the symptoms. This gives your doctor a chance to review what is happening and look for other possibilities. If you mention cancer your doctor will instead spend their time and attention on explaining why you don't have it, and may stop hearing anything additional you have to say.

Sending prayers for b9 MRI results, answers and solutions to the symptoms and pain you are experiencing.