What WOULD show on MRI

[Cowgirl37]

Hi, I've been reading a lot and trying to figure this out and I'm sure others may have the same question.  I've gone back in the archives looking for it too, with no luck either.  

What WOULD show up on an MRI?  My report says that the area did not appear suspicious for malignant disease on MRI 2/26/08.  However, the mammo from 3/13/08 says I have a Large Area of Amorphous Calcifications in the right superior breast (medial and lateral).  The ultra sound from 3/13/08 shows several nodules less than 1cm plus 2 dominant ones that are larger (4mm x 8mm) + (5mm x 1cm) and 2 hypoechoic nodules suspected to represent benign lymph nodes.  

ALL THAT going on in the right superior breast area and none of it showed up on the MRI from 16 days ago???  Maybe it's a good thing and you could give me some hope that benign things don't show up on MRI's....

I'm scheduled on 3/19/08 for a Stereotactic Biopsy X2 because the area is so large. This waiting is terrible.

Thank you

  

[Rena705]

Ha Ha...I found you honey!  Like the doctor said you will have to keep me updated now as well ok?  I have had nodules and had biopsies and ultrasounds but nothing ever came of it but I can relate to the terror!

I was at the clinic on my own and it was my first Mammogram and they asked me to come back in and they did another mammogram and then they said I had to have the biopsy right away and I said, "you are out of your mind!"

Apparently they were not and they went ahead and did it all in the same first 3 hours that I have ever been there and honestly...the concern about a diagnosis of MS was mild compared to the fear of the big B.C.!  

I am sure that nothing will come of this sweetie but please know that I am here to lean on ok?  You let me borrow your shoulder and now it's payback time!  PM me and we can talk any time you want ok?

Lots and Lots of Hugs,

Rena

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Thanks for the good words. It in fact helps to motivate us physicians to conitue to clear your doubts and help you as much as possible with the obvious restrictions.

Glad to hear that the posts were of some help. You need to be strong and keep your spirits high.

We would be eager to hear about how your appointment goes. Update us on how you are doing.

Regards.

[Cowgirl37]

Thank you again for answering me back.    

I feel very fortunate to have a Doctor actually take the time to come on here and answer each and every question.  It really helps with the anxiety and you can't put a price on that.  I was actually having really bad arrhythmias when this all started and now my heart has settled down a bit.  I know it really helped me to be able to log on and communicate with someone and get it all out.    

I've settled in with my decision to wait until April 4th and will let you all know what happens.  

Take Care

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It is best to take a second opinion and even more so if you do not have a rapport with your doctor or are not convinced.

Let us know how the appointment goes and what the doctor advises.

You could also talk to your radiologist and see if it is possible for him/her to arrange an earlier appointment with the doctor.

Let us know about how you are doing.

Regards.

[Cowgirl37]

The Surgeon's office says they didn't get the report.  I don't like to make waves, because these people have my life in their hands.  But this office staff is just too much.  The Surgeon's office where my report was faxed never received the "STAT" Report from the radiologist on Wed 3/19.  The radiologist was very concerned on that day and that is why he sent it "STAT REPORT - READ IMMEDIATELY" and told me go get a copy myself and make sure I follow up on it.  I had to fax it to them on Fri 3/21 (two days later).  When I finally talked to someone in the surgeon's office who got my name right, picked up the right line, etc., etc., they said the surgeon saw it, says it's ok and doesn't need to see me. (????)  I thought that was really strange.  So I called the next day and got someone else, made her stay on the line and faxed the STAT report to her.  She supposedly showed it to the doctor and came back on and said he wants to see you on April 1 @ 11:00.  She said he is going on vacation, and didn't I know that?  No, I didn't.  This office is unbelievablably disorganized.  It's scary.  I know the radiologist and the breast center women said they couldn't comment on the "surgeon", BUT, here are the names of 2 other doctors.  Your situation really needs to be looked at NOW.  If you don't feel comfortable, call one of these.  This isn't the first time I've had problems with this doctor's staff, but they never knew it because I didn't dare to say anything....you know, they have my results and basically my life in their hands.

I called one of the Doctors that they recommended and faxed her office my report.  She has the same access to the hospital films/reports, etc. as the former one.  She agreed to see me on April 4th.  I am going to wait the 2 weeks and see her.  When I asked her office if they thought it was ok to wait 2 weeks, they told me I was very fortunate to get in that soon because she is really good and that no one ever cancels appointments with her.  I want to know if you think I did the right thing.  Every time I called the former surgeons office they would come on the line and call me someone else, or leave me on hold and go to lunch.  I'm not the only one who is  treated like that in his office, so I kind of know the answer.  Is it ok to wait?  

[Cowgirl37]

Hi,

I just received a fax copy of the report from the failed core needle biopsy that the radiologist sent to the surgeon, he faxed it to him -*** "STAT" REPORT, PLEASE READ IMMEDIATELY***.  He not only wants him to do the surgical excisional biopsy in at least 2 areas of the calcifications in the right breast, he wants him to biopsy the original "nodule" in the left breast that lit up on my MRI.  

I had written this original post about what would show up on an MRI, because the MRI didn't show anything going on in my right breast and I had a lot of things going on in there.  However, the MRI DID say I had a "nodule" that lit up on the left breast (one out of 4 in that breast), but was probably a benign fibroadenoma and to follow up in 6 months.  I had written that one off in my head, and was just worried about the clusters.  
Now he wants to biopsy that one too.  I have 1 lymph node seen in the left axillary region on U/S and 2 lymph nodes seen in the right axillary region. The plan was to just watch everything except the clusters of microcalcifications.  I'm scared because on the new faxed report to the surgeon, he changed the BIRADS from 4A- SUSPICIOUS "ABNORMALITY" to BIRADS 4A- SUSPICIOUS FOR "MALIGNANCY".  What do you think?  Again, I can't stand the waiting.  Just saying it out loud to someone helps.  Has anyone had a similar experience...and how did it turn out?  Please be honest with me.

Thanks again,
Cowgirl  

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It is in fact depressing and frustrating to hear about your ordeal at the biopsy .

But you should follow up with your surgeon and decide what needs to be done next.

Keep us posted.

Regards.

[japdip]

Sorry you have more waiting to do but this breast cancer business is pretty much a series of waiting games. Better this way than to make an attempt that wouldn't tell the whole story. Pat you foot and try to think about something else and I hope they will get you scheduled for your biopsy very soon. Thank you too for your kind remark.

[Cowgirl37]

Hi All,

In regards to the Stereotactic Core Needle Biopsy (X2) that I was scheduled for this morning 3/19/08 (see above post).  I was on the table for about an hour and they couldn't perform the biopsy because I didn't have enough breast tissue (once they pulled the implant back).  

Now they are scheduling me for a needle placement then surgical biopsy (also x2) because the area of calcifications in the right breast is so spread out. The radiologist is calling my surgeon to see when he can get me in.  More waiting...

I'll keep you all posted.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

A biopsy would be the most diagnostic procedure and would rule out cancer and also give a confirmed diagnosis.

Let us know about the reports when they come in.

Prepare yourself for the biopsy procedure and relax.

A mammogram, ultrasound and MRI can comment on the type of lesion, shape and consistency etc. but they cannot give a diagnosis or rule out cancer for sure.

Let us know if you have any doubts.

Hope this helps.

Reagrds.

[Cowgirl37]

Thanks for your reply.  I've seen a lot of your posts and I really appreciate what you do for this forum.  One more question:  

Would it matter that they did the MRI first without any information/results from the Mammo or Ultrasound?  I have moderately dense breasts and they weren't told on the prescription what to look for because the other tests hadn't even been done yet (notice the dates in the above post).  I think I did it backwards.  I'm having the biopsy this Wednesday anyway, but I would just like to know.

Thanks  

[japdip]

If the area showed up as benign on the other exams it seems from the MRI report that the same was true .. it did say not suspicious for malignant disease which is the same as in the other reports only in different words. The biopsy will certainly confirm or deny the benign diagnosis. Waiting is far from fun but it always beomes a waiting game with this disease.