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Breast MRI is suspicious, now what?
I have had two breast MRIs 6 months apart with recommendations to have a MRI biopsy done, but nobody in my part of the state does them. It would mean a drive to a larger city providing MRI breast biopsies. The suspicious spot seems to stay the size of a small oval pea. It is not seen on Mammogram (had a seaching mammo that left me bruised) and is not seen on Ultrasound (have had two in the past 6 months in search of the suspicious spot). My thinking is that since the spot has not changed in 6 months and MRI biopsy services are hard to find, that I should just get it looked at again in 6 months! I'm so over the chase! I have ET blood cancer and I have no thyroid gland. I'm dependent on taking Levothyroxine and Hydroxyurea to manage my health. Is this concern about a suspicion Okay to just wait it out for another 6 months. I am so allergic to MRI contrast! Had a swollen face and itched for 4 days following! Just need some advice and another opinion. I see my Oncologist in a few days; I'd imagine she will send me a couple hundred miles away for a biopsy...
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Here’s some things to consider:
Depending on the growth rate, no change in 6 months doesn't mean it’s not cancerous. In general, low grade breast cancer grows from one cell to a size seen on a mammogram in 9 years, intermediate rate is 6 years, high grade is 4 years. So if its currently slow growing there wouldn't be much/any change in 6 months.
I had intermediate grade DCIS, pea size. It was missed on the diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound, thought to be a weird lymph node. Very embarrassing for the radiologist because her report said no cancer and that it was consistent with an area she saw on my prior two annual mammograms. She had to add an addendum to her report after the biopsy. My lesion had very little calcification, which is what the mammogram IDs best. In 4 1/2 months it had not changed size (scan to surgery).
My understanding is that when a lesion gets to be 12 mm, 1.2 cm, most oncologists will recommend surgery. A pea size is about 8-10 mm. Early treatment is simpler, and hopefully avoids the lesion becoming invasive.
I was able to have my biopsy locally, but I chose to have treatment at a comprehensive cancer center 190 miles away. I usually do followups in one day, 3 1/2 hours there and back. It gives me peace of mind to know the quality of care is high. In early 2022 the recommendation was surgery (for me), now many oncologists are recommending hormone therapy only for early breast cancer.
I am currently on hormone therapy, tamoxifen. This past year my thyroid tests were indicating possibly hypothyroidism. The doctor told me that if I went on levothyroxine they would just adjust the dose to accommodate any issues that might be a problem, and to not worry.
I am allergic to gadolinium, the MRI contrast. But I only got a red rash on my face the first time. I now take Benadryl before the scan, its on my chart. It sounds like your reaction is more involved, though.
I don't mean to minimize your issues. The difficulty with traveling, the uncertain lesion, the other health issues. It’s a lot!!
You’ll find many compassionate women on this site that understand what you’re going through. Best wishes as you work through what is best for you!
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1 ReactionSo sorry to hear.I too had MRI in 2024 that showed lesion and that lesion did not show on mammo or ultrasound.
I had a MRI guided biopsy and was positive for invasive lobular carcinoma.
I would not wait another 6 months. Please advocate for yourself. Positive thoughts.
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2 Reactions@triciaot THANK YOU! I don't want to over react but would feel awful avoiding an early finding if it is malignant. I appreciate your taking the time to comment; such a help to me.
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1 Reaction@kakc19 Thanks! I aim to follow through. My daughter is recovering from a lobular carcinoma that required a mastectomy. So my Oncologist is on edge with me. I don't want to get the MRI biopsy, but it seems like the right thing to do. I sure don't want another cancer! Who does! Thanks for your response. My best to you!
@kakc19 How was the MRI guided biopsy? I understand that it can be bloody and painful. I am terrified of do it. I had lumpectomy and radiation for ILC in 2024. I am on Exemestane and Verzenio. My Signature test 3 months ago was negative. Now the MRI show something suspicious. I did not want to do the MRI guided biopsy. I am 74 and there are too many things going on in my life right now. I wanted to wait. My oncologist ordered another Signatera blood test.