Is MRI Necessary

[Bubbe11]

Just received results from my mammogram & ultrasound. I have a small solid hypoechoic lesion (0.7 cm) in right breast and calcification measuring 2mm in left breast. I have previously had 9 benign tumors removed in past years. I am scheduled for an MRI on Friday. Will the MRI definitively show that the new tumor is benign or malignant or is it a waste of time and money? If no definitive diagnosis, I would just rather have the tumor removed to be on the safe side (hoping this one is benign as well).  Any feedback would be most appreciated.

[gogogo89]

I had MRI after biopsy which diagnosed DCIS in my left breast. Before lumpectomy surgery, I was sent for MRI. MRI shows a lots of abnormality throughout in both breasts which sent me for another "MRI-guided" biopsy. Pathology report, they are just benign. So, I didn't need to have "double mastectomy". But this process pushed back my surgery schedule for more than 2 weeks. Generally, MRI is a good diagnose exam for dense breasts. But it often provides "false" positive which lead to unnessesary biopsies. After MRI, I felt much better to know there wasn't any other tumors than the original biopsied site even though I wasted my time (my insurance cover the cost, I paid only co-payment). I had no problems being inside of that machine without drug.

[japdip]

NO, the MRI will not differentiate between benign and malignant. Only a biopsy can do that. You must keep in mind that just because you have had benign tumors in the past it doesn't mean that everything will also be benign. MRI can give a much clearer picture of the suspicious area and especially with dense breast tissue but it's still only the biopsy for a diagnosis.    Regards ..