Hi just wondering if anyone else has required more biopies following MRI. I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago with an invasive lobular cancer and told will require surgery then radiotherapy but had to have MRI before final plan was made . Went for ultrasound appointment on Tuesday which I was under impression was to have the marker repositioned but turned out to be a call back after my MRI which I hadnt been made aware of. I was so taken aback when the radiologist said the reason I was there was because MRI has shown an additional area that will require more biopsies I’m not sure I took in all the information. She mentioned having MRI guided biopsies (or by ‘tomo’ but didnt give me a straight answer as to what that meant) Obviously my brain is running away with me as to what these biopsies will show.
Hi @jeelyjar
Yes, this happened to me last year. I was diagnosed and surgery was scheduled so I was relieved everything seemed to be happening quickly. Then MRI showed another area of concern so surgery was postponed while more tests were done. The biopsy came back clear and the plan was to take out this area anyway which I agreed to (this would have meant much more breast tissue being removed). MDT did not like this plan and were also a bit concerned about the accuracy of the second biopsy so referred me for an MRI one. After lots of chasing up as MRI biopsies are only offered at certain hospitals on certain days, my scans and results were reviewed by an expert who confirmed it was accurate therefore the MRI one was no longer required.
All this uncertainty and thinking the worst was horrific so I can imagine how you may be feeling now. But, with the benefit of hindsight, I’m glad this happened. Although it was distressing waiting I now know that my team were making sure they knew exactly what they were dealing with and I ended up with the right surgery and best possible outcomes.
Hang in there and best of luck. x
Hi @southwest123 thanks very much for replying and glad to hear your other biopsies didn’t show any extra issues. I haven’t heard anything this week so dont know when I’ll get it done and then have the inevitable wait for the resuls which is the worst bit ofcourse.
Are you able to give me an idea on how the biopies are taken in MRI scanner, were you lying face down? I find the MRI awful but did cope better with the breast one since you cant see how enclosed you are!! Thanks x
I didn’t have the MRI biopsy as my scans and results were reviewed by an expert who confirmed they were satisfied with the one that had been done. x
Hello! I remember asking the same questions. I have had 3 biopsies in both breasts and one of them was MRI-guided. You are laying face down and there is a medical team working around you and helping you to make it all go smoothly. The radiologist is on the side of the machine and got a needle biopsy from the side (for me). I know the needle is bigger so there was more bruising and tenderness for me, but they medicate you prior so you don’t feel any of this at the time. It was no more difficult than a regular biopsy, in my opinion. Don’t worry, you got this !!!
Hi very similar happened to me, as it turned out they were unable to get MRI biopsy as i am on blood thinners so they placed clip in at MRI. I then went back to ultrasound clip guided biopsy. I have just had my results from the second area of concern and it is begnin. So relieved the waiting is the worst, try not to worry, it is best that they know what they’re dealing with. Easier said than done, i know…
Hi, yes I needed a 2nd needle biopsy because the saw another tiny area of concern on the MRI. I have to admit it was really uncomfortable because I was still bruised from the first. It also led to a delay in my operation. The results were inconclusive after all of that and they have decided to just remove it along with the original tumour next week. I hope you get good results xx
Hiya, I was diagnosed with lobular cancer in Nov last year. Initial mammogram and ultrasound showed one area of concern which was biopsied. After that I had an MRI and that showed another one which was partially obscured by a large cyst. This had to be aspirated and more biopsies taken. I was advised to have mastectomy and the pathogy from that showed one large tumour (56mm) one smaller one (12mm) and lots of satellite deposits. I was advised mastectomy anyway due to the large tumour. So surgery outcome for me was the same regardless. Also, (I don’t want to be doom and gloom but) be prepared that they may advise chemo after all the tissue is removed. I was initially told surgery and radiotherapy only but after pathology was advised chemo for a ‘belt and braces’ approach to reducing chance of recurrence.
Good luck with everything ahead. Take care x
Thankyou all for your replies @sassy3 @archiesmum1 @fubc @southwest123 @coleitt
I’m bit stressed out this week as I’m getting different plans, the radiologist said I wouldnt need a mammo with contrast after the failed attempt, but today the surgeon said I was booked for another on the 18th and then they’ll do the MRI biopsies, I can only assume from this I’m quite some time away from sugery x
Thankyou for explaining this, I think of everything thats going on the thought of another MRI is the thing that scares me most! X
Thats good news that the other is benign, hope everything else is going smoothly x
All the best for next week, hope youre doing ok x
I hope youre doing ok now, I’m preparing myself for a similar outcome I have to say, I know I should be thinking positively but its hard x
I’m doing much better now there’s a plan in place. I really feel for you, the uncertainty is horrible. I have everything crossed for you x