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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ssmab | @ssmab | Oct 31, 2023

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❤️

resort | @resort | Oct 31, 2023

I had MRI guided biopsy done At University of Chicago hospital (a horrible place to go for medical treatments). They had Fellow student did it for me. Extremely painful. Wish you good luck!

jportell1957 | @jportell1957 | Oct 31, 2023

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.