[mts]

I had a breast MRI after my first lumpectomy (if I had only known!) Anyway, two more tumors were found adjacent to the original lumpectomy. I had re-excision followed by radiation. The mammo showed nothing and the ultrasound only showed the 1st tumor. Thank goodness that little voice in my head told me to get an MRI -since my surg onc did not suggest a hint to it.
Had the MRI not found the two tumors, they would have been my so called recurrences. I wonder how many women with recurrence are actually undetected tumors from the original diagnosis.

I live in Florida- and I had joined a trial at Upenn in Philadelphia. All three modalities (mammo, ultrasound and breast MRI) were used for comparison. Turns out, for dense breasts the MRI is extremely helpful in detecting tumors that otherwise would go undetected.

That trial saved my life. The specialists at UPenn still recommend that all three modalities be used in breast cancer patients with dense breasts. Which is why I keep going back to UPenn for follow-up. Hurray for advanced technology!!!

Maria