Does enhancement on an MRI always mean cancer?

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1

Hello,

I posted last week after being called back from my family history MRI and there is some enhancement showing on the right breast. I’ve now got to have a guided MRI biopsy which I’m stressing about because I can’t get it booked in until a particular time of my cycle and they’re also fully booked next week. Unfortunately when I went to the breast clinic this week they couldn’t biopsy as my breasts are dense and the area couldn’t be seen on a mammogram or an ultrasound hence the appointment needed for the MRI biopsy :frowning:

My question is, does enhancement on an MRI always indicate cancer or can enhancements always be benign?

The waiting is so hard. By the time I get my results it will have been around 5.5 weeks since my original MRI :frowning: x

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2

I’ve read that MRI can show false positives . The waiting is awful . Sending hugs x

3

Hi ljd401,

Thank you for posting.

Waiting for tests and results can be a really difficult time and it’s understandable that you’re finding the waiting hard. You may want to call our helpline to talk this through with the nurses, we often find we can help people more by talking on the phone.

Sometimes an MRI guided biopsy is needed, if the area of concern can’t be seen well on mammogram, and it sounds like this is the case for you. As @klf has said, enhancement on MRI isn’t always cancer, but it’s important to biopsy the area to know what has caused the enhancement seen.

Timing the MRI scan with your period, as you mention, helps the team to get the best images but can mean waiting longer for the right time to have the scan. If you feel worried about the waiting time for the biopsy to be done, you may want to call the MRI department to discuss your concerns.

As mentioned above, please do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, If you have hearing or speech difficulties prefix our number with 18001 and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.

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Best wishes

Cassie

Breast Care Nurse

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