Will my mri biospy be done with contrast?

I had contrast with my MRI biopsies.

Thank you. Finally got a response from the imaging center, stating that since an mri found the area it needs to be mri biopsied with contrast as well. I was hoping no contrast as I have heard that the less contrast dyes over a lifetime is best.

Yes, they will do an MRI with and without contrast. I wouldn’t worry about the contrast dye, they need it to visualize your lesion. I am going to have to have one every year for the foreseeable future. I am 71 and had the exact same thing in Jan 2025. No calcifications or abnormalities on mammogram, but a slight nipple discharge. MRI showed non mass enhancement. From the biopsy, I was diagnosed with DCIS, but also had a 4mm foci of IDC. I had a lumpectomy and opted for radiation via brachytherapy. I was taking anastrozole since my cancer was ER+Pr+, but have discontinued for now. I may resume it shortly, since I tolerated it well.
Warm wishes to you, it’s quite a lot when you’re going through it all, but there will be better days before you know it. This forum is the best! I’ve answered and asked many questions throughout my diagnosis and treatment. The contrast dye is mostly a problem if you have kidney disease, which they screen you for before they use it. 💚

Thank you for sharing your experience and I hope you continue to do well. I was originally thinking all would be benign and it still may be. I have been hearing a lot of stories similiar to yours, so I will follow through with the biospy. I have read that my age and family history add to the bc risk. The non mass enhancement is linear and 2.6 cm with kinetics 2. I have dense tissue, mammogram and ultrasound showed nothing, but due to the unilateral spontaneous discharge I was referred for the mri, and now awaitng the biospy. Could be a papilloma as well.

Is the mri biospy painful and how long does it take, shorter than the mri breast screening I hope! I have neck and spine issues that they accomondated as much as possible. I have had a 3d mammogram guided biopsy and all I really felt was the pinch of the numbing needle.

@jeaniem Are you having a stereotactic biopsy? That's quick. It's like a mammogram but maybe a little tighter. You don't even feel the needle going in and you can see your cells spinning into the tube. I was fascinated.

@ruffianfan55 re: the contrast. They told me the contrast used is not the same as the contrast used in a CT scan. I hope that is true because I was diagnosed with renal disease last fall. Total surprise and the doctors don't know why. It's being controlled by diet and a wonderful renal dietitian but I can't take any chances . My cancer was lobular and I need the breast MRI every year. I was fortunate to find a 15 minute MRI machine.

@marshgirl24
I am not sure, but from what I have read it will be vaccuum assisted.

@jeaniem I've had two MRI breast biopsies. I believe I was in the machine for about 20 minutes. You are in the same semi-prone position that you were in for the regular breast MRI. I didn't see exactly what the equipment was but the breast that is not being scanned has something compressing it up. The breast that is getting biopsied feels like it is in a mammo squish. They put something on your back so you are more squished than with the regulat breast MRI. You will feel the pinch of the anesthetic of course. I took a sedative for each of them. I did deep breathing, as best I could, and counted my breaths as a distraction. I also focused on the fact that I needed to do the MRI biopsy for my journey back to health. And, whenever I get any type of scan, I keep my eyes closed as long as I'min the machine. Yes, I'm claustrophobic. Of course they give you an alarm thingy to squeeze if you need to stop the test and the techs talk you through everything. So, if you can take one, I recommend a sedative. Make sure you let them know at radiology that you are going to take one. They may want you to be sedative free when you sign consent paperwork. I did better when I waited to take the sedative because, at least in my case, I was there for about 1/2 hour before they started the scanning. My best wishes to you on your journey.

@jeaniem I think that "vaccuum assisted" is the suction that's used to draw out the cells. That's what I was watching spin out over the tubing. You don't feel it. I'm surprised that they used that term with you. However, in the old days, biopsies were done with a scalpel. Imagine. Women ended up with a scar (and smaller boobs) even if the mass/area was benign.