New mass found with MRI...questions

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cm2020
cm2020 Member Posts: 615
edited April 2020 in Just Diagnosed

So it apparently is small, though i don't know the size. Not visible on ultrasound or original mammogram. Is visible on mammogram now since I had contrast dye last night for the MRI. According to the radiologist it looks suspicious. I did have a biopsy but they aren't completely positive they have the right place and if it comes back negative needs to be repeated under MRI.

I had planned on a lumpectomy and my first mass is as good as it could be: 1.4 cm, ER/PR pos., HER2-, grade 1. Could this new mass be vastly different from that? Is a lumpectomy still okay? Ideally I would have a BMX but with the virus complicating everything I wanted an easier, safer option, and to be done with surgery.

What do I need to brace for, prepare for, expect next. Has this happened to anyone else? What did you do?

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited April 2020

    So sorry. More anxiety and stress you don’t need. It didn’t happen to me but I’m confused about how they found it. It wasn’t visible on the mammogram but showed up on the biopsy? There is no way to know if it’s bigger or even cancer yet. The next biopsy will do that.

    Keep the faith and keep us posted.

    Diane

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited April 2020

    Hi cm2020. I too had one small lump found via mammogram, then a second much smaller site found by MRI. They were close together and at my experienced surgeon's suggestion I stayed with the lumpectomy. It all worked out well for me and I wish you the same; I remember well the early period when everything seemed so stressful and out of control. If you trust your doctor, then just hang on and after surgery you will feel a lot better mentally.

    As for next steps, I had an MRI-guided biopsy then, when it was malignant, a follow-up appointment with my surgeon and then surgery itself. Radiation, which started several weeks later, was pretty easy for me aside from the daily grind of hospital appointments after wotk. Please let us know how we can help you.

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  • Flower216
    Flower216 Member Posts: 119
    edited April 2020

    My situation was similar. My first tumor (which I found) didn't show up on mammo, but was seen on ultrasound. When I had the MRI, they found a second tumor, which was almost identical to the first. Since both tumors were close to each other, I had a lumpectomy, with one incision. I did need chemo, then radiation, and now I have been on anastrozole for almost 11 months.

    I know this is so stressful, and the virus just adds to the stress. Best of luck. Keep us up to date!!!

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  • cm2020
    cm2020 Member Posts: 615
    edited April 2020

    edwards750 I'm sorry I wasn't clear. The second mass was found during the MRI. It didn't show up on either the diagnostic mammogram or ultrasounds. It didn't show up yesterday on ultrasound. However, yesterday it did show up on the diagnostic mammogram because of the contrast dye that I was given for the MRI. So they biopsied what was lit up on mammogram and hope that is the same place that the MRI identified. Those results will hopefully be in today since it was sent STAT.

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  • cm2020
    cm2020 Member Posts: 615
    edited April 2020

    Georgia1 Thank you for sharing your experience. This is all just so overwhelming and terrifying. I'm glad that you are doing well and it all worked out with a lumpectomy. It is reassuring to know you (and others) have been through the same thing and are okay now.

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  • cm2020
    cm2020 Member Posts: 615
    edited April 2020

    Flower216 Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm glad you are okay. It does seem like this happens more than I realized. The virus is making everything more scary and awful. I hope to get the results today and to also talk to my surgeon to see if the lumpectomy can proceed or do I have to go through an MRI biopsy of this second mass.

    I so hope that the second mass doesn't worsen my prognosis. Right now it is excellent, but I am afraid a second mass will change that.

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  • toria1212
    toria1212 Member Posts: 136
    edited April 2020

    cm2020,

    I'm so sorry that you are troubled by the new found area of suspicion. Ugh. I am going to pray that it is benign and that you can proceed as scheduled. This virus stuff is making all of it much worse, imo, and the possible delays for surgery and treatment. Like you, I have a good case scenario, but who knows in 2/3 months?

    The not knowing is the hardest part. Please update when you receive information. (((hugs)))

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  • cm2020
    cm2020 Member Posts: 615
    edited April 2020

    toria1212...thank you so much.

    The new mass is cancerous. It is the same type as the first one but is a grade 2. I will still have a lumpectomy Monday.

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited April 2020

    Thanks for letting us know. I'll be thinking of you, and while surgery can be a little stressful, I promise you that you'll feel better once "it's out." Lots of nice women on the Lumpectomy Lounge thread if you need support.

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  • cm2020
    cm2020 Member Posts: 615
    edited April 2020

    Georgia1 Thank you very much. I really appreciate it. Thank you also for pointing me in the direction of the lumpectomy lounge. I have no idea what to expect and am quite anxious and somewhat scared of surgery.

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  • Flower216
    Flower216 Member Posts: 119
    edited April 2020

    CM2020 Good luck on Monday...you will be fine!!!!! One suggestion... bring a pillow for car ride home...to put under the seatbelt! Honestly, after surgery, except for being very tired, I was not in much pain. Keep in touch with us!

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  • cm2020
    cm2020 Member Posts: 615
    edited April 2020

    Flower216...thank you for the pillow suggestion! I hope that I am as fortunate as you and the pain isn't bad. I am looking forward to surgery being over. Then I can heal and get ready to face radiation.

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  • toria1212
    toria1212 Member Posts: 136
    edited April 2020

    Oh sweetie,

    I am sorry that you received this information(but now you KNOW, and somehow that helps a wee bit). I had a breast reduction for years ago, and a lift-somehow I don't think the lumpectomy(I am having one as well) will be as invasive, but maybe that's my naivete. Not sure if you are allowed to ice the area post-surgery(BC surgery vs. cosmetic surgery) but I purchase pre-surgery very soft, gel-filled ice packs(more than one) so that they could be rotated. I have not yet looked at ways to prep for surgery as I am spending all day trying to run and hide from covid(kind of funny, but NOT) and only when I sit down at computer and focus on BC, do I consider all that this entails....

    Praying you catch your breath and have sunshine wherever you are. We do and it is LIFE changing for me and my family. Spring is definitely in da' house and helps so much to get some fresh air and Vit D. (((hugs))) Please private message me anytime-even though I have no expertise, I am here for you!

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  • cm2020
    cm2020 Member Posts: 615
    edited April 2020

    toria1212.... Thank you for the advice and prayers. Hiding from covid is something I am doing too. BC and this pandemic is too much to handle at once.

    I also have chronic hives. They have been in "remission" for quite a while and I was even able to wean off the med (which is plaquenil....the med that has been in the news as possibly being effective for covid). Well, I guess with the clips and seed implanted in the tumors, my immune system screamed "OH HELL NO!" and I woke up this morning covered with hives. That should make surgery recovery oh so much fun (not!). I contacted my immunologist and am just waiting to hear what she says about it. There really isn't anything to do to control them immediately so I will be headed into surgery with itchy hives all over my body....including where I will be bandaged from the lumpectomy. My body hates me right now!

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  • toria1212
    toria1212 Member Posts: 136
    edited April 2020

    Oh sweetie,

    Hives are AWFUL! I'm so sorry for this additional struggle in addition to EVERYTHING ELSE. Problem is, kids are home fulltime-they EAT more, you try desperately to GO NOWHERE, but.....tomorrow my meds need picked up, the anastrezole-yes, I am petrified to take it, but will go forward. We will definitely runout of food this week haha, but my daughter's boyfriend offered(he is still working in mortgages and going into a ghost office) to grocery shop for us. It's just so crazy.

    Interesting that your medication "may" be a counter to the virus-hoping you stay well! I keep wondering if I am in denial about the BC, or simply consumed with all things covid19, AND my 29 year old son staying here currently(type 1 diabetic and in a severe depression).

    Here for you.....xx

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