One MRI positive, one MRI negative?

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Moritz
Moritz Member Posts: 1
edited February 2021 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hi all, I am so confused. I have had bloody nipple discharge for 6 months. Negative mammogram and ultrasound 5 months ago. Last week had an MRI with contrast that found a 2.9 cm area suspect for Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia or DCIS. Today went for biopsy of area. MRI was negative; there was "no uptake" of the contrast. The radiologist said there was nothing to biopsy but I could still have something wrong - or not. Has this happened to anyone else? Am thinking that I still want an opinion from a breast surgeon. Does that make sense. My PCP has been handling it thus far. Thank you!

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited February 2021

    Moritz, welcome!

    Yup, definitely a confusing situation. Have you had a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound more recently than 5 months ago? If not, I would think that might be an option of what to do next, to see if any correlation can be found to the finding from the first MRI. If something is there, it might not have been visible on the ultrasound and mammo 6 months ago, but it could show up now. And now the radiologist knows exactly where to look. But if you have had a more recent mammogram and ultrasound, I'm not sure what you can do. A Radiologist can't biopsy something if they can't find it on imaging while doing the biopsy - the needle placement has to be very precise and the imaging done during the procedure is used to guide the needle to the right location. The radiologist can't just go off the previous imaging because even being 1mm wrong on the location would result in an unreliable biopsy result.

    The good news is that ADH is a high risk condition and DCIS is a non-invasive condition, so what was suspected from the first MRI is not urgent. That would suggest that waiting 6 months and having re-imaging then might be another answer. Getting advice from a breast surgeon is probably a good idea - PCPs are often out of their depth on this sort of stuff if there is anything out of the ordinary going on.

  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited February 2021

    Welcome Moritz! Sorry you are going through all of this! I had to re-read your post a few times - meaning yes, you are in a confusing situation. Beesie gave you sound feedback.... Please keep us posted ok?

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