MRI Results... Should I be worried?

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Fairydragonfly
Fairydragonfly Member Posts: 194
edited December 2020 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

While I appreciate access to MyChart, with COVID they now release your test results immediately. Which means I am now obsessively trying to figure out what it means.

Quick background - BRCA1 mutation, my mom passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2018. I had breast cancer in 2019. I was referred to a gastroenterologist and he sent me for a baseline MRI of my pancreas.

The MRI report was posted this afternoon and three areas have information. My pancreas, liver, and adrenal gland.

Left adrenal has a benign small cyst. Not worried about that.

Liver has scattered arterial enhancing foci. A bunch of jargon I don't have the education to understand. It states "likely benign and could represent small shunts or FNHs." It's the use of the word likely that caused my stomach to flop.

Pancreas has tiny hyperintense dot that could represent small side branch intraductal papillary ductal mucinous neoplasm. No worrisome cystic or solid pancreatic lesion. Recommended follow-up in one year. Again made my stomach flop because I saw how quickly and silently pancreatic cancer can kill.

As if this wasn't enough, I also had a biopsy via endometrial resection yesterday. I have to wait 4 to 6 weeks for those results. Worried the Tamoxifen is leading me to endometrial cancer.

So I am fully aboard the 'is it back' train heading into a very dark tunnel. Merry $&#@ing Christmas to me. Just hoping to hear from others who may have gone through similar experiences.

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  • 2019whatayear
    2019whatayear Member Posts: 767
    edited December 2020

    I think they should ask each patient if they want their scans released to my chart. I don't. I want no scan on my chart. I want a call from the doc saying what the deal is and then I want to see the report- ya know?

    So I would say, since you are a patient with a BC history plus BRCA1 Radiologists are going to err on the side of caution when reading your scans and since it says likely benign vrs. saying based on history- metastatic disease can't be ruled out-(which they like to say on reports ) Then it's really really likely it is benign.

    Also I googled: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a type of cyst that is found in the pancreas. These cysts are benign - meaning they are not cancerous to start.

    I would say you could maybe push for a follow up in 6 months -if you think you need that?

    I hope that helps. xoxo

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  • Fairydragonfly
    Fairydragonfly Member Posts: 194
    edited December 2020

    Thank you 2019whatayear. I suspect there is nothing of huge significance, but hard not to let your head go there. I'm hoping the gastroenterologist will call before Christmas to let me know results and hopefully will be on board with a more frequent MRI like you suggest.

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  • 2019whatayear
    2019whatayear Member Posts: 767
    edited December 2020

    I totally understand the worry. Yes hope you get a call asap from the gastro. that would good

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited December 2020

    Don't get caught up on the word "likely". That is the usual medical-speak CYA because, as we all know, interpretation of imaging can never be 100% certain. It basically means "the imaging saw something that appears benign but we can't know for certain without actually surgically removing whatever it is so we will say that it is "likely" benign."

    I recently had an ultrasound report that used similar medical CYA terminology. The report didn't say "benign" because you can't know this with certainty from imaging, so it said "benign-appearing".

    I agree that for those of us with a history of cancer, doctors err on the side of caution. If no follow-up is suggested for the liver and a 1 year follow-up is suggested for the pancreas, it sounds as though the Radiologist has no concerns.

    Can you call the gastroenterologist to set up a tele-appointment? And will your MO be seeing this report? If not, you might want to get it to him or her. If the radiologist and these two doctors aren't concerned, then you shouldn't be.

    Hope the endometrial biopsy shows nothing of concern!


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  • Fairydragonfly
    Fairydragonfly Member Posts: 194
    edited December 2020

    Thank you Bessie. I know my GP was getting the report, but not sure about the oncologist. They may have access to it through MyChart though.

    I will call the gastroenterologist next week to try to set something up.


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  • beachw3
    beachw3 Member Posts: 30
    edited December 2020

    hi all, I just went for routine MRI and they found 5MM lesion on my anterior rib. I have ct scan Monday. I am so worried. It really makes me think that I need to change the way I live, as in do more of what I want instead of being afraid my significant other will be upset. Sounds silly but it's how I feel. Has anyone had rib lesions? Any thoughts? What does MRI not see that ct scan will?

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