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Old 07-27-2013, 10:55 AM   #2
'lizbeth
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 2,214
Re: breast MRI with contrast

I am waiting for the results of my breast MRI. I am just over 5 years NED.

Yes, the big argument by the surgical staff against my MRI was the large incidence of false positives, their number 20%. This number being generated by the specificity of the MRI as compared to mammograms or ultrasound. MRIs pick up every little detail.

My argument for the MRI was the larger risk of false negatives 22% - 50% based on a study that I can email to you if have a history of Paget's Disease of the Breast.

My request for an MRI was based my personal history of Paget's, with 2 lesions of breast cancer that were only discovered on a subsequent MRI during my initial diagnosis in 2007.

I have dense breasts. I also have had a similar inflammation of the nipple areola complex, ability to express fluid of various colors from the nipple and tiny flakes or crusting.

I wanted the peace of mind from an MRI that would show the mammograms are not producing a false negative, again.

Your doctor must have expressed some reasons behind the recommendation of an MRI. If you can share some of your history, and these reasons we can help you explore why this could be a good option for you.

My feelings about a false positive is yes, there is some anguish about worrying of another recurrence. But I'd rather face a false positive than the repercussions of a false negative on the mammogram.
__________________
Diagnosed 2007
Stage IIb Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Pagets, 3 of 15 positive nodes

Traditional Treatment: Mastectomy and Axillary Node Dissection followed by Taxotere, 6 treatments and 1 year of Herceptin, no radiation
Former Chemo Ninja "Takizi Zukuchiri"

Additional treatments:
GP2 vaccine, San Antonio Med Ctr
Prescriptive Exercise for Cancer Patients
ENERGY Study, UCSD La Jolla

Reconstruction: TRAM flap, partial loss, Revision

The content of my posts are meant for informational purposes only. The medical information is intended for general information only and should not be used in any way to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease

Last edited by 'lizbeth; 07-27-2013 at 10:56 AM.. Reason: better grammer?
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