Breast MRI results--what does it mean? Help!

[ddm967]

I went for a Mammogram on 6/5.  Did an ultrasound of the right breast because I'd complained of some pain, basically cyclical in nature but still painful.  They determined I had a simple cyst in the right breast.  I then asked my Dr. if I could have a Breast MRI done in light of the simple cyst found in the right breast.  Insurance covered it so I had a Breast MRI done on 6/19.  My Dr's nurse called me on 6/23 and said that my Dr. wanted me to have an additional ultrasound on a probable "complex cyst" that the radiologist thinks is showing up on the MRI.  Here's what the report says:

Findings:  In the left breast, there is an 8mm enhancing nodule seen in the left medial breast at approximately the 10:00 position, approximately 5cm from the nipple.  There is a plateau enhancement of this lesion.  There is no corresponding abnormality seen on the mammogram.  On the STIR images in this region, there is a high signal rounded mass.  The finding may represent a complex cyst.

There is no suspicious enhancing findings in the right breast.  There are cysts present bilaterally.  There is no axillary adenopathy identified.  Screening of the chest wall is negative bilaterally.

Impression:  Single area of indeterminate enhancement is seen in the LEFT medial breast at the 10:00 position.  This corresponds to a HIGH SIGNAL area on the STIR images and may represent a COMPLEX CYST.  Correlate with targeted ultrasound of the left breast at the 10:00 position.  No other abnormality is seen.

FINAL ASSESSMENT:  BIRADS Category 0 Incomplete Needs Additional Imaging Evaluation

My question for the community would be has anyone had a similar experience/gotten similar results from a breast  MRI?  Can anyone help interpret this report for me?  I am wondering if I need to be really concerned about these results/findings.  I hear MRI's are highly sensitive and pick up stuff & give FALSE positives that mammograms might not. MRI's cause unneccesary biopsies etc.    

I am getting an ultrasound of this area tomorrow so hopefully I'll know more then, but just curious to know if anyone can shed some light on my results & interpret this "medical lingo" for me.  Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!  Thanks so much.

[ddm967]

I got the ultrasound today.  The Radiologist talked to me after viewing the films.  He said that the cyst had several smaller cysts inside and there was this small area of a cyst perhaps that he couldn't see very well--not well enough to say that it's nothing.  He suggested that I have the tissue take out with a need aspiration/biopsy just to be on the safe side.  He said that he really felt like I have cystic breast disease.  He talked to me just in the facility hallway not really in a private area so I was thinking that if he thought it was extremely serious he would have at least taken me into his office to talk.  He gave me an order to get the needle aspiration/biopsy.  I'm having it done next Tuesday.  Wish it was sooner but I'll have to wait until Tuesday.  Guess I'll really know more after the tissue sample had been looked at by a pathologist and they provide me with the results.  

I wish he would have said it was nothing and I didn't have to worry about this needle aspiration but I guess he wants to err on the side of caution due to my family history and he mentioned that in the conversation he had with me today.  So that's what I'm hoping...that the cyst tissue will be benign.  I just hope they test enough of it to be absolutely sure what it is--if they say it's benign.  

So anyway--that's where I am for now.  Waiting over the weekend and hoping for the best with the biopsy on Tuesday.  :-)

[japdip]

I'm curious to know if your Mother has been tested for the breast cancer gene or you or your sister. Any one of you would tell the tale so to speak. If your Mother were positive for the gene you and your sister would be also and would require earlier and more intensive watching for any abnormality. Anxious to hear the results of your ultrasound. Regards ...

[ddm967]

Well, I basically asked for it because the mammogram found a cyst in my right breast and they did an ultrasound on it and said that it was probably benign and rated it as BIRADS 3...needing a check up in 6 months.  I felt that I really needed to get the MRI just to be sure.  My sister is 6 years younger than me and our Dr. agreed for my sister to get an MRI this year before I even asked for it.  So alot of it has to do with our family history and the fact that my sister already got one and her results were clear/no signs of any problems.  I know that MRI's can catch signs of cancer early and that's why basically.  The whole Christina Applegate ordeal most likely prompted me and my sister to push for an MRI.  I just figured I'd get the MRI this year as a baseline observation and then continue on with mammograms from here on out unless there's a problem found.  The mammogram didn't see any cyst in my left breast, no mention of anything suspicious.  But the MRI did see something there though.  I am just hoping that the ultrasound today will reveal that it truly is nothing to worry about--perhaps a false positive.  Getting a needle aspiration or biopsy doesn't really concern me all that much because I want to know if the complex cyst IS something to worry about.  My whole goal is to catch anything that might be happening---EARLY.  If cancer cells are found at all--that's all I need to know and I'll get a full mastectomy.  My mother had cancer at age 38.  She's 62 now, she had a double mastectomy way back when they wanted to do a less invasive procedure but I think she made the right decision.  She's never regretted it.  She had reconstructive surgery and is happy and alive.  Alot of women she knew back then that found out they had cancer opted for less invasive surgeries and now most have died from cancer.  My mother was just a lucky person I guess but it's inspired me to be my own advocate and push for stuff to make doubly sure that I am indeed OKAY.  I do hope this ultrasound today reveals that there's nothing major to worry about but the area found does need further evaluation according to the radiology report.  If it is indeed something then I've caught it much earlier than a mammogram would have.  Since the diagnostic one done a couple weeks ago missed it entirely.  False positives do occur I'm sure.  I hope this is one of them.  But I am prepared to do whatever is necessary and am glad to be having it examined today under ultrasound.  Thanks for your comments.

[japdip]

you are correct that MRI does give false positives at times. I haven't a clue as to why you would request this test since you had a diagnostic finding previously. I don't see any mention that you have very dense breast tissue; MRI is a valuable tool when there is a problem that isn't revealed by either Mammogram or Ultrasound. Just because Ins. will pay for this type of imagery isn't a very good reason to have it done and this is also why there are a number of unnecessary biopsies done.  I hope your Ultrasound will clarify the issue for you.    Regards ....