MRI guided Biopsy - What was your experience like?

Posted by katrina123 @katrina123, Oct 30, 2023

I had an MRI 2 1/2 weeks ago and they saw a 1 cm mass that was a Birads 4 suspicious for malignancy, so my oncologist had me go in today for an ultrasound biopsy, but they were unable to positively locate the mass. Now I have to go in for an MRI guided biopsy and I wondered what kind of experiences others have had with this procedure.
I am very upset because in Jan it will be 4 years since I had a lumpectomy with 4 weeks of radiation. This mass is in the other breast.
Also, my husband has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's so he can't drive. Not sure what I am going to do.

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@brighterdays

Hi, could you tell me a little bit more about your hematoma? I had an mri biopsy 2 weeks ago. Immediately after, it was obvious that I had a hematoma. It probably grew gradually over the last 2 weeks and now it feel like there’s a golf ball inside my breast that protrudes.
How long did it take for yours to go away?

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My hematoma was still quite swollen and painful when I had the lumpectomy but the surgeon and plastic surgeon (I had a reduction also) felt it was safe to go ahead with the surgery. I think it was about it 3 weeks after the biopsy. I used ice packs and that helped a lot.
Hope you get relief soon.

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@jportell1957

Katrina,
My MRI guided biopsy was 6 weeks ago. I was face down with a plastic rack under my chest. It’s not too uncomfortable but I had two areas on the same side and for one they used the needle to extract the sample and the other they used a scooop-like probe to remove a tissue sample. The lidocaine helps numb the area but the scoop procedure was a bit painful for a short while. I had quite a lot of bleeding and ended up with a huge hematoma and my lumpectomy was delayed for a few days in order for it to heal more.
The position you are in during the procedure makes it difficult for the radiologist to get to to perform the biopsy. I hope you have a painless biopsy.

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Hi, could you tell me a little bit more about your hematoma? I had an mri biopsy 2 weeks ago. Immediately after, it was obvious that I had a hematoma. It probably grew gradually over the last 2 weeks and now it feel like there’s a golf ball inside my breast that protrudes.
How long did it take for yours to go away?

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@katrina123

Colleen,
Thanks for the compassion I appreciate it. I made the appointment with the breast cancer surgeon today for November 27th. My husband wants to go with me. So far, he is O.K. in public. He is so upset that he can't drive me to my appointments. He has been by my side for 56 years and has always helped me through all of my many illnesses. Our daughter drove me to one appointment that I thought would include a biopsy and our son drove me to the other appointment when I had the core biopsy done. Unless I am having biopsies or surgery, I will probably drive myself. The breast surgeon and radiation facility I might be going to is not too far from my home. My daughter has offered to take a leave of absence from teaching, but I hate to have her do that. I could change my mind depending on what my treatment will be. I have an appointment with my oncologist this Friday and I will probably learn a little more about what the plan is. In the last 4 years I have had 6 MRI's, 6 3-D mammograms and 7 ultrasounds. I am very perplexed as to why this mass was not seen sooner. Also perplexed that our local hospital imaging department could not see the mass but the university hospital had no trouble finding it.

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Dear Katrina,
First I send Heartfelt prayers to you. I pray for the "Holy Mother"to intercede on your behalf.
Please call Mayo Clinc.
Make an appointment.
Fax over to them copies of every single record and reports of findings. Ask your daughter to type a summation sheet of all tests with biopsies.
In 2019 I was a patient at Mayo in Rochester Minnesota. I did all of the above. I advocated for myself. I got an appointment.
If you can't get an appointment, go through the Emergency Department. Bring all your records. I met a husband at Mayo whose wife had pancreatic cancer, she couldn't get an appointment. With their children in tow they drove 10 hours to Mayo in Minnesota, went through the ER.
She had surgery and is in remission. Mayo is the BEST HOSPITAL IN THE WORLD. You deserve the Best. Your daughter can go out on FMLA, her job will be protected, your son can stay with your husband.
"DESPERATE TIMES NEED DESPERATE MEASURES"
All the Best to you.
You take care. Stay strong.
In Christ's Abiding Love
colleenp

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@angel01

Did you have both sides Left and Right done at the same time? I was told that the radiologist can only do one side at a time at Kaiser. They also kept running out of Biopsy kit and made me wait some extra days for the kit to come.

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sorry...I just realized your question was not directed to me.

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@katrina123

angek01,
I am not quite sure about your question.
I had breast cancer and radiation and a lumpectomy on one breast almost 4 years ago and now I found out that I have a different kind of cancer in the other breast. Originally the radiologists were going to do an MRI guided biopsy, but I ended up having an ultrasound guided biopsy only on the side that had the mass that showed up on an MRI earlier.
Did you have breast cancer in both breasts at the same time? That would be terrible.
I haven't read all of the blogs so forgive me if you have already written about that.

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I had a guided biopsy no problem

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@angel01

Did you have both sides Left and Right done at the same time? I was told that the radiologist can only do one side at a time at Kaiser. They also kept running out of Biopsy kit and made me wait some extra days for the kit to come.

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angel01,
Yes I had both breasts done at the same visit. I was put in the machine, lots of pictures taken, then the table I was on slid back out of the MRI machine and the Dr. did the MRI guided needle biopsy on the L side while I was still laying in the same position. Then still on the table of the machine face down, I was put back in the MRI machine for more pictures, the table slid back out of the machine, then she did the R side. Afterward I was taken to the mammogram room and I had a mammogram on each side. Forgot to say that about the mammogram in my first reply. Maybe your insurance has people do those biopsies separately. Mine were the same day. I felt better keeping my eyes closed the entire time from getting on the table till I heard them say they were all done and I could get up from the table when I felt ready to. While it was all going on I pictured myself in beautiful places like on a sandy beach looking over the water. That along with beautiful music and their kind words got me through just fine. Sending Love, Healing and Wellness wishes to you angel01❤️

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angek01,
I am not quite sure about your question.
I had breast cancer and radiation and a lumpectomy on one breast almost 4 years ago and now I found out that I have a different kind of cancer in the other breast. Originally the radiologists were going to do an MRI guided biopsy, but I ended up having an ultrasound guided biopsy only on the side that had the mass that showed up on an MRI earlier.
Did you have breast cancer in both breasts at the same time? That would be terrible.
I haven't read all of the blogs so forgive me if you have already written about that.

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@ssmab

I had MRI guided biopsies on both breasts last December. You lay on a table face down and your breasts hang through and open area where the radiologist can do the needle biopsy. The Lidocaine helps somewhat. I found it helpful to keep my eyes closed the whole time once I got on the table. They asked me what kind of music I like and I chose my favorite and that was on in the background. The nurses and radiologist were all so kind. The radiologist told me all she was doing every step of the way and one of the nurses was gently rubbing my back. They kept telling me I was doing very well. That was helpful. You do feel some pain but it doesn't last that long, and it's surely not as bad as other pain I've had. I hope you have a friend who could drive you there since your husband isn't able to drive. They may have volunteers who can give you a ride at your hospital if needed. You can always ask. Sending Love, Healing and Wellness wishes to you❤️

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Did you have both sides Left and Right done at the same time? I was told that the radiologist can only do one side at a time at Kaiser. They also kept running out of Biopsy kit and made me wait some extra days for the kit to come.

REPLY

Colleen,
Thanks for the compassion I appreciate it. I made the appointment with the breast cancer surgeon today for November 27th. My husband wants to go with me. So far, he is O.K. in public. He is so upset that he can't drive me to my appointments. He has been by my side for 56 years and has always helped me through all of my many illnesses. Our daughter drove me to one appointment that I thought would include a biopsy and our son drove me to the other appointment when I had the core biopsy done. Unless I am having biopsies or surgery, I will probably drive myself. The breast surgeon and radiation facility I might be going to is not too far from my home. My daughter has offered to take a leave of absence from teaching, but I hate to have her do that. I could change my mind depending on what my treatment will be. I have an appointment with my oncologist this Friday and I will probably learn a little more about what the plan is. In the last 4 years I have had 6 MRI's, 6 3-D mammograms and 7 ultrasounds. I am very perplexed as to why this mass was not seen sooner. Also perplexed that our local hospital imaging department could not see the mass but the university hospital had no trouble finding it.

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@katrina123

Update...
I was called back in to the breast clinic and I had another ultrasound instead of an MRI and this time they saw the mass so they went ahead and performed an ultrasound guided biopsy. Unfortunately, the diagnosis is invasive ductal carcinoma with mucinous features grade 2. They took 6 core biopsies. I am very upset because January of 2020 I had a different kind of breast cancer in the other breast and had a lumpectomy and 4 weeks of full breast radiation with a boost. So, I didn't even make it 4 years without cancer. My life is so much more complicated now since my husband has Alzheimer's and he can't drive.
Right now I am waiting for a call from the breast surgeon's office to schedule an appointment for me.
(Are we having fun yet?)
Katrina

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Oh Katrina, I'm so sorry to read your news. While one might think that having a second go around at this you might be prepared. But I can only imagine that knowing what is to come is unsettling to say the least. You didn't expect this I'm sure. And to have to go through this while also caring for your husband certainly adds a layer of complexity.

When will you meet with the surgeon? Is there someone who can accompany you to your appointments and someone else who can stay with your husband if necessary?

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