Breast MRI Results
My doctor recommended that I start receiving Breast MRI exams due to my lifetime risk %, as my mother had a breast cancer diagnosis at 49 years old. She is still a survivor 18 years later. I just turned 43 years old, and consider myself relatively healthy. I had an abnormal mammogram two years ago, and after a sonogram, the abnormal mass was biopsied and turned out to be a Fibroadenoma. And, last year's diagnostic mammogram came back unremarkable, for both breasts. So, this Monday I had my first Breast MRI and a few short hours later I got the report indicating an abnormal reading in my right breast: "a small arterially enhancing nodule identified within the inferior medial aspect of the retro-areolar region of right breast (5:00 position), measuring 6.8 x 4.9 x 6.2 mm, demonstrating type III washout kinetics, recommend right breast diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound for further characterization."
This took my breath away, because I am obsessed about doing my monthly checks, and I have felt nothing abnormal. No one from my doctors office contacted me to explain these findings, so I entered it into ChatGPT to translate for me (yes, I used AI). I probably shouldn't have done that, because it contained basically all of the scary things. After contacting my primary care physician's office, I got an email telling me to remain "positive" and that the MRI found "very small abnormalities" that need further imaging.
Honestly, I don't know why I am posting here, maybe for more information, support, guidance on how to proceed? My mom leaned heavily on Breastcancer.org during her journey, so here I am too. I was warned that Breast MRI's are highly sensitive, and "if you go searching, you will find something"… I guess I went into it naively hoping for the best, but it might have found something that might, quite literally change my life…
Right now, all I know is that I have a tiny nodule, that might be hooked up to a blood source that is demonstrating a Type III washout kinetics (still don't know what that means, but AI told me it is apparently not good). It might turn out to be nothing, but it also might be something?
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Hi @ltapia30 and welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're so very sorry for the worries that bring you here, but we're really glad you've turned to us, the trusted resource your mom put so much stock in. As she surely experienced, and we're sure you will too, our community is a wonderful resource of advice, information, encourgement, and support — if it turns out you need it. We're all sending good thoughts your way and hope this is all nothing to worry about. It's great you've been so diligent about your breast health and we're sure you'll get some answers soon. Others will surely be by soon with their experiences with MRI and follow up testing.
In the meantime, we hope you can remain calm until you have some answers. Let us know how else we can support you!
—The Mods
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Thanks Mods. I go in for my mammogram and sonogram tomorrow. Google told me that having a Type III Washout on a breast MRI is not good… I think it was referred as a "cancer curve". So that was fun to read. So, I am basically going into tomorrow ready to hear it's highly likely cancer.
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If it helps at all, I had a similar process (and have had MANY benign biopsies via ultrasound), finally had an MRI and they found a 5mm focal non-mass with type III washout kinetics (also was having armpit pain by the lymph node area). I was convinced it was malignant (mostly because of the washout kinetics and armpit pain). After a biopsy and waiting, I found out it was a benign lesion (that also sometimes presents with washout kinetics); atypical lobular hyperplasia. I was completely convinced I would hear it is cancer and prepared myself for that news. In the end, it's something we are going to monitor. Many benign lesions present as suspicious! I kept reminding myself that I moved ahead with the MRI to catch whatever I could early. Good luck and keep us posted!
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Thank you Clark1384, I really appreciate your comment to my post. I'm having to reminding myself, almost every minute, that the present moment is all I really truly have control of. I will update when I know more. :)
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It is very hard to control the anxiety that comes with the waiting period, @ltapia30. But imaging in and of itself is not diagnostic. They do need additional information before they can officially determine whether it's benign or malignant. We know it's difficult to manage the fear and worry, and you're collecting as much information as you can, but it's not possible to diagnose based on this information alone yet. We've found one of the most effective ways people get through the waiting period and manage the anxiety is to find distractions. It may not be possible to completely eradicate it from your awareness, but even reducing your ability to focus on it cognitively down to 50% of your focus will likely engender some reduction in the anxiety to some degree. Please let us know what you hear tomorrow. We'll be holding you in our thoughts. ❤️
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Itapiaa30- I agree with what was said. I am happy to hear the post with nearly the same information for her diagnosis as yours. I just want to add that the fact you are getting a sonogram/ultrasound? and mammogram tomorrow is so good to hear. Those tests are annoying, but they give the medical team more information. My friend had told me her lumps were always benign. Do the next indicated thing every day. Take a walk. Read a magazine. Do some housework. Take some deep breaths. You will be ok. My results were not benign, but I knew I had the support of friends, family and the medical team. Family members having cancer is a reason to get checkups. It is good to hear your mother is 18 years out. Prayers.
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Got my diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound today. My mammogram couldn’t show the suspicious mass (thank goodness I got an mri), few minutes later I received an ultrasound. They found the nodule and it was described in the report as “There is a subtle focal hypoechoic solid-appearing nodule in the retroareolar region of the right breast at approximately 5:00 measuring 6.8 × 2.9 × 6.5 mm, corresponding with the enhancing nodule identified on breast MRI from 5/13/2024.” Spoke with the radiologist after the ultrasound. He said because I have a history of a previous Fibroadenoma, he said I could wait and come back in 6 months to do additional imaging to see if anything changed. I told him that I would prefer to get it biopsied. If I waited, I literally would not be able to sleep at night for those 6 months. He said, ok, we can biopsy. In my report he then labeled my nodule a Bi-Rads score a 4b. So not sure what to make of that.
Went to schedule, and the next available date is June 19!!?!! I called another diagnostic center 30 minutes away in Reno, NV (I live in Truckee, CA) and the soonest they could get me in is June 15th! So I guess I continue to wait. 🤨0 -
still can’t believe I’m having to wait this long for a biopsy. I’m also still confused why I was offered a watch and wait option and then when I chose to biopsy the radiologist gave me a Bi-Rads 4b. Apparently, radiologists are untouchable, as in, you literally only get one chance (after an ultrasound) to ask them any questions. So if you’re overwhelmed (like I was) when you got them in front of you and you don’t take advantage of your one chance to ask, good freaking luck. Nothing is written in my report about the orientation of this thing. What are the margins like? Nothing. Is it parallel? Nothing. What about this “nodule” made this radiologist feel comfortable offering me to wait 6 months? And then when I chose to biopsy, he said it was a moderate risk of malignancy. Did he see something different after he left from our discussion? My primary care doctor is really nice, but obviously she can’t answer any of my questions, and isn’t receptive about forwarding those questions to the radiologist, probably because she knows the communication pathway doesn’t work like that. She said that maybe he offered it to me because of how small it was? But even that response seems so juvenile. Also, I didn’t mention this, because I didn’t want to give any credit to it (mostly to save myself from disappointment, but it makes my whole situation even more confusing) the ultrasound technician told me that, though she is not a doctor, what she was seeing on the ultrasound, isn’t coming across as cancer. Something about it not being dark. I know she is not allowed to utter any words to me, but I think she saw how much of a wreck I was. I haven’t even told my husband or doctor this, because I know she shouldn’t have said a thing to me.
I feel like I’m in some sort of purgatory, having to pause from making future plans over this stupid 6mm mass in my right boob.0 -
I am sorry that you find yourself in a worrisome position. The ultrasound tech, while attempting to comfort you, was out of line. Based on imaging alone, she is making a prediction that is above her pay grade. Nothing but a biopsy can confirm bc, regardless of what the imaging looks like.
My understanding, and it may be incorrect, is that most insurers will not cover a biopsy if the bi-rads score is lower than 4. Since you did not want to watch and wait, this will ensure that your insurance covers the biopsy. As for waiting, breast cancer, even the suspicion of bc, is not considered an emergency. Even aggressive breast cancers are relatively slow going so waiting for the biopsy will not negatively affect your health. Take care
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finally got my biopsy yesterday. they ended up using a device with a vacuum suction, where they sucked a portion of it out from underneath the nodule since it was near the nipple. this was a first for me, as I had a previous biopsy a few years ago, and it was like a punch needle. everyone seemed to be in good spirits (while I was just an emotional mess), the ultrasound tech said that the mass didn't have any visible "scary" characteristics, in front of the radiologist, and he audibly agreed with her. I have this weird mix of relief now that the biopsy is done, but still very nervous for the phone call with the results. I leave for a business trip on Saturday, so I'll likely be told while I am away by myself. Not sure how I feel about that. I'll be learning the latest in labor law changes, and maybe receiving news that might really affect my life. #Adulting at it's finest. LOL!
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Those tests are never fun and always worry for everyone, so you are not alone. Imagine you are on a more frequent follow up at this point though. I know I have one I am watching for a few years had to go every 6 months for about 2 years for an ultrasound and mamo on my non-cancer side. for a place they thought was turning on me. Now after 2 years am back to once a year again
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Had a successful biopsy on June 19. Got a call from my Doctor's nurse on June 24th to let me know it was not cancerous. When I asked what it was, she said that she was not authorized to discuss that detailed information, but to only share with me if it was malignant or not. Told me that I can follow up with my Doctor regarding that detailed information. I have my doctor's appointment scheduled for tomorrow. My doctor is apparently not pushing out my pathology report until after my in person appointment. Not sure what to make of that, and I'm doing a very good job regarding not reading into the weirdness of it. I only state it's weird, because a few years ago when I had another growth biopsied on my other breast, the nurse was able to tell me that it was benign, what it specifically was, and then pushed my pathology report to me after the phone call. Procedures likely changed, and honestly, it's been easy to not spiral knowing that it's not malignant. I'm more curious than anything, especially since the visual attributes on the MRI would normally lean towards cancer. Another lesson confirmed that you just don't know until it's biopsied. But the emotional torture you experience during that wait, is real, horrible, and valid.
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I’m happy for you @ltapia30 that you found out it’s not cancer! Phew!! I’ve been following your thread here. I’m so curious what it turned out to be!!! Thanks for the update and go celebrate the great news!
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Thank you @needs.a.nap :)
Just got out of my doctor's appointment. Apparently, it is a Ductal Papilloma with no atypical hyperplasia. I did not have any discharge associated with this tumor. Happy to know what it is. She didn't realize I never received my pathology report via MyChart, so she is going to try and unlock it for me. I guess it was locked because the radiologist was "on the fence" whether it was benign or not.
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I’m glad you finally got an answer. What a relief!
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