It is a very hard thing to go through and very understandable that you are anxious. I tell myself I cannot change the results but will deal with it as best as I can (I feel I don't really have a choice-lol).
I've had a double mastectomy.
Recently I had a "diep flap procedure" done. This is where they remove fat tissue and nerves from your abdomen and place them into your breast area. I just had a 6 month MRI. The radiologist called that afternoon and explained that he believed it's benign but several areas look like cancer because it's necrosis (tissue that did not get blood supply and died). Fortunately my Doctors had explained this may occur and the first MRI is a baseline for them to refer to. I go back in 6 months to see if there has been any changes. I wish you all the best!! Stay strong!!!! ❤️
Hello, thank you for sharing your experience with post mastectomy MRI. I would like to ask you whether the radiologist recommends doing biopsies on those spots that appear suspicious on the first MRI after mastectomy. Are they able to distinguish tissue necrosis or post surgery tissue inflammations from potentially cancerous lesions without having to resort to more biopsies? Or will they not do anything yet until the next MRI shows changes? I am a year out from a preventative double mastectomy for LCIS and wants to do an MRI (will pay out of pocket as it is not within my HMO guidelines). I have a feeling that there is probably tissues in there that looks abnormal due to the surgery and whether I am setting myself up for more follow up tests to rule out cancer.
I agree with your line that f thinking as a breast radiologist told me the MRI is the best study and we should stack modalities when we can for best chance of early detection!! That said I’m a year out-lumpectomy for lobular-and very dense breasts. I begged oncologist to write for mRI -she did reluctantly as even with family history thinks mammo adequate. I will most likely have to pay out of pocket as she said she would not write a letter to support-and I’m at Dana Farber!
First, thank you all for your words of wisdom and understanding! Tomorrow is the day and I have my "sister wife" going with me. I will let you all know how it goes, I hope I can sleep tonight ): but I'm ready to get it done and hopefully it all goes OK 🙂
Hello, thank you for sharing your experience with post mastectomy MRI. I would like to ask you whether the radiologist recommends doing biopsies on those spots that appear suspicious on the first MRI after mastectomy. Are they able to distinguish tissue necrosis or post surgery tissue inflammations from potentially cancerous lesions without having to resort to more biopsies? Or will they not do anything yet until the next MRI shows changes? I am a year out from a preventative double mastectomy for LCIS and wants to do an MRI (will pay out of pocket as it is not within my HMO guidelines). I have a feeling that there is probably tissues in there that looks abnormal due to the surgery and whether I am setting myself up for more follow up tests to rule out cancer.
Hello, the radiologist said he believed it was benign but was not going to forget about it and to have another MRI done in 6 months. He said if he thought it was anything more he would send me for a biopsy.
I believe he could tell it was necrosis due to my history of having the diep flap procedure done and this occurs often. I think the MRI's are the best tool they have for mastectomies and they can see things and determine if they need to be biopsied. My guess is they can distinguish necrosis and scar tissue from cancer.
I agree with your line that f thinking as a breast radiologist told me the MRI is the best study and we should stack modalities when we can for best chance of early detection!! That said I’m a year out-lumpectomy for lobular-and very dense breasts. I begged oncologist to write for mRI -she did reluctantly as even with family history thinks mammo adequate. I will most likely have to pay out of pocket as she said she would not write a letter to support-and I’m at Dana Farber!
I also had dense breasts and would have to go back for a mammogram every six months because they were watching things. My mammogram was delayed due to COVID. When I did go in I was a little sore on my right breast but believed it was from the COVID vaccine. They had explained I should wait 6 weeks after vaccine because it may affect mammogram so I thought it was affecting my breast as well.
To shorten a long story (unless you really want to hear it), I had cancer in my right breast and needed a mastectomy. I chose a double mastectomy because at the time of my last mammogram they were "watching" a spot in my left breast. The cancer had also spread to my right lymph nodes.
I think you are doing the right thing by pushing for the MRI. I would not be very happy with the Oncologist. I wish you the best. 🦋
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Hello, thank you for sharing your experience with post mastectomy MRI. I would like to ask you whether the radiologist recommends doing biopsies on those spots that appear suspicious on the first MRI after mastectomy. Are they able to distinguish tissue necrosis or post surgery tissue inflammations from potentially cancerous lesions without having to resort to more biopsies? Or will they not do anything yet until the next MRI shows changes? I am a year out from a preventative double mastectomy for LCIS and wants to do an MRI (will pay out of pocket as it is not within my HMO guidelines). I have a feeling that there is probably tissues in there that looks abnormal due to the surgery and whether I am setting myself up for more follow up tests to rule out cancer.
I agree with your line that f thinking as a breast radiologist told me the MRI is the best study and we should stack modalities when we can for best chance of early detection!! That said I’m a year out-lumpectomy for lobular-and very dense breasts. I begged oncologist to write for mRI -she did reluctantly as even with family history thinks mammo adequate. I will most likely have to pay out of pocket as she said she would not write a letter to support-and I’m at Dana Farber!
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1 ReactionFirst, thank you all for your words of wisdom and understanding! Tomorrow is the day and I have my "sister wife" going with me. I will let you all know how it goes, I hope I can sleep tonight ): but I'm ready to get it done and hopefully it all goes OK 🙂
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1 ReactionHello, the radiologist said he believed it was benign but was not going to forget about it and to have another MRI done in 6 months. He said if he thought it was anything more he would send me for a biopsy.
I believe he could tell it was necrosis due to my history of having the diep flap procedure done and this occurs often. I think the MRI's are the best tool they have for mastectomies and they can see things and determine if they need to be biopsied. My guess is they can distinguish necrosis and scar tissue from cancer.
I hope this helps you. I understand your fear.
I also had dense breasts and would have to go back for a mammogram every six months because they were watching things. My mammogram was delayed due to COVID. When I did go in I was a little sore on my right breast but believed it was from the COVID vaccine. They had explained I should wait 6 weeks after vaccine because it may affect mammogram so I thought it was affecting my breast as well.
To shorten a long story (unless you really want to hear it), I had cancer in my right breast and needed a mastectomy. I chose a double mastectomy because at the time of my last mammogram they were "watching" a spot in my left breast. The cancer had also spread to my right lymph nodes.
I think you are doing the right thing by pushing for the MRI. I would not be very happy with the Oncologist. I wish you the best. 🦋
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1 ReactionWell my first post surgery mammogram is done and came out perfect, I can relax now and celebrate!!! I pray we all have good health!
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