Concern over Gadiolinum dye in MRIs

Of all the issues that came along with my lobular carcinoma diagnosis, the MRI dye was among the least of my concerns. I wish everyone dealing with this disease strength and positive support as they make their way to being survivors. I'm not going to worry too much about the MRI dye concern.

@nancy2952 I see you posted your questions about Ibrance and treatment, and connected with other members in the Metastatic Breast Cancer discussion here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/metastatic-breast-cancer-to-the-bone/?pg=5#comment-111236
That is the perfect place to have connected with others.

Questions about the safety of gadolinium, the dye used in breast MRIs, have come up. The dye settles in the brain.
For those of us getting annual MRIs, have you changed your routine? Has your doctor suggested reducing the annual procedure? Are you concerned about the effects of the dye on your brain? Is there a substitute procedure that provides equal levels of screening as MRIs? If you have been relying on MRIs for early detection of breast cancer because you are at high risk, has this made you more likely to want a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy?

MODERATOR, does Mayo have an MRI gadolinium policy that can be shared?

@elsie37, I moved your message to an earlier discussion about concerns of Gadolinium dye in MRIs. Click VIEW & REPLY in the email notification to see past posts that answer some of your questions.

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

- Mayo Clinic Finds Direct Evidence of Gadolinium Deposition in Brain Tissues Following Contrast-Enhanced MRI Exams https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-finds-direct-evidence-of-gadolinium-deposition-in-brain-tissues-following-contrast-enhanced-mri-exams/

I'd also be interested in hearing from others and repeat your excellent questions here:
"For those of you getting annual MRIs, have you changed your routine? Has your doctor suggested reducing the annual procedure? Are you concerned about the effects of the dye on your brain? Is there a substitute procedure that provides equal levels of screening as MRIs? If you have been relying on MRIs for early detection of breast cancer because you are at high risk, has this made you more likely to want a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy?"

I am very interested in this topic - I had a very bad pituitary tumor, and I've had at least a dozen MRIs with contrast. I'm facing another one in December and I'm on the verge of refusing it. I want to gather as much information as I can before I refuse - IF I refuse. I read some very concerning articles, but I didn't keep track of where they are. I am only getting an MRI every other year now instead of annually. I realize all of you are talking about breast cancer, but may I get in on the discussion or MRI contrast?

@parrotqueen
I, too, had concerns over the use of a gadiolinum contrast dye (as I seem to react to so many agents) when told to get an MRI. I don't know whether this is helpful or not, but I learned that the FDA has approved nine different gadiolinum contrasts (GBCAs) in the U.S., one of which (gadobutrol or Gadavist) seems to have the least issues. It turned out that this is what was being used at my hospital, so I relented, and didn't have a problem.

I subsequently learned, however, with repeated GBCA administrations, gadiolinum can deposit in the brain, skin, bones, liver, and other organs, even if the patient has normal renal function. The clinical implication of the gadolinium deposition in the brain remains poorly understood and studied. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6158336/

And that's "the thing" for me: doctors prescribe a lot of procedures which haven't been well-studied, and they rarely understand the potential implications themselves. In the meantime, patients are left wondering if their part in all this is as guinea pigs. If I were in your shoes, I would grill my oncologist and head of hospital radiology on whether the MRI wouldn't be almost as effective without using the contrast agent.

Blessings to you on your difficult decision-making.

Thank you for posting that informative article from the NIH, @elizm.

I tried putting my foot down but was told this is the only way to see my pituitary tumor. I will see the doctor face-to-face after the procedure and I will discuss it with him then. I am elderly, so it isn't like I'm a young woman. I do, however, care what goes in and out of my body. I care so much, I went completely off sugar (no bread, no fruit, no beans or root vegetables, etc.).

I am allergic to both dyes, so I have to have a steriod protocol. LCIS here...

scary, they need to come up with a safer dye..