Concern over Gadiolinum dye in MRIs

I am also concerned about MRI with contrast. I had a pre-surgery MRI a year ago, before my lumpectomy. I am now discussing with my oncologist whether to follow up my 3-D mammogram, which was clear, with MRI, since I had both invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma in the same breast. Lobular carcinoma does not show up well on mammography or ultrasound. I read this information from Mayo. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-finds-direct-evidence-of-gadolinium-deposition-in-brain-tissues-following-contrast-enhanced-mri-exams/
Is it possible to have an MRI without the use of gadolinium for breast cancer followup? Is there an alternative type of contrast? I'm having difficulty finding sufficient information on this to enable me to make an informed decision. I understand that some types of gadolinium contrast are no longer being used in Europe and that the FDA has updated a warning about gadolinium use. https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/FDAInBrief/ucm589604.htm

I'm glad you are discussing this with your doctor. I have mentioned my liver and kidney concerns to my surgeon and radiologist. They indicated the test would not be as effective without having the dye and still recommend me having a MRI yearly. However, my case is different from yours. I have not had any diagnosed breast cancer. They are monitoring me because I am brca1 positive and have calcification/cysts. I am 72 and since my mother did not have breast cancer but did have liver and kidney issues, I'm weighing the risks of something that did show up in my blood work against something that might show up. Of course either one of them could have serious consequences. I would suggest if you decide to get the MRI to make notes of how you feel for at least 48 hours. Such as headache, dizziness, slurred speech, vision, skin coloration changes and let them know what you observe so you can decide whether you want to do additional ones in the future. Thanks for responding.

Thanks for your response. Although we are in different situations, it sounds as if we are facing similar decisions re: MRI. My long-term hope is that if gadolinium is problematic, another contrast agent will be found that is not. Meantime, I'm uneasy about how to monitor for a recurrence of the lobular cancer, or a new lobular tumor in the other breast. I may start a thread here to see what others with invasive lobular carcinoma have done.

I think that's an excellent idea.

Hi @alaskan
I'm tagging a few other Connect members, @cindylb @kruzin @gramamom @leannz, who have had lobular carcinoma to invite them into this discussion about concerns with MRI contrast dye. @floridaellie @lauries and @darlia have also discussed this issue in other discussion threads on Connect.

Here is a statement from the FDA posted May 22, 2017
– FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA evaluating the risk of brain deposits with repeated use of gadolinium-based contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm455386.htm

Colleen, Thank you so much for this link to the FDA sight. I was unaware of the contrast dye issue but I had an odd reaction to it when I had my MRI's.....but then, I have so many allergies and reactions to so many chemicals, I'm afraid of everything at this point. For
Alaskan and Virginia Senior - I have working on 3 years post mastectomy for lobular and I'm about due for an MRI but in the meantime my doctors have been doing full chest and axillary ultrasounds, blood tumor marker tests, physical exams. However, I will be doing an MRI soon because the lobular just doesn't show up well with anything else. I have copied the FDA information from Colleen and will be taking it to my next 6 month checkup and see what I learn. I would love to see if an MRI without contrast might be an option.

I was reading with interest about the MRI's and I don't think I had any issues with the contrast dye. My cancer was 2 years ago and I had another biopsy a month ago but it was clear, so that was good news. I've always had a lot of allergies but I don't think there was any reaction from the MRI.

Congratulations with being clear. Keep up the good work and just keep an eye out for how you react to the dye. From what I've read most people are fine with it.

Good luck.

I’m not sure how to post my questions, but would like to hear from others that are taking Ibrance. I finished my first round and blood work showed low white cells. My doctor told me to stop Ibrance for a week. Has this happened to anyone else?