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08-19-2007, 06:13 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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MRI's and metal
I haven't needed to have an MRI yet but probably will some day.
I have lots of metal in my spine from having a fusion in 1991.
Will I be able to have an MRI? I am hoping not because I am so
claustrophobic. I need an Ativan for a CT scan and bone scan.
Does anyone know???
__________________
PinkGirl
Dx Aug/05 at age 51
2cm. Stage 2A, Grade 3
ER+/PR-
Her2 +++
Sept 7/05 Mastectomy
4 FAC, 4 Taxol, no radiation
1 year of Herceptin
Tamoxifen for approx. 4 months,
Arimidex for 5 years
Prophylactic mastectomy June 22/09
" I yam what I yam." - Popeye
My Photo Album
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08-19-2007, 06:24 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 758
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My husband has lots of metal in his back also and when he needs further studies in that area they do a CT scan. Actually it depends on what type metal. It must be non-ferrous for it not to interfere with an MRI. Hopes this helps.
Marlys
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08-19-2007, 06:46 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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Thanks Marlys
I guess I will have to find out about what's in my back.
I know that the plates are stainless steel but I know
nothing about the ferrous/non-ferrous stuff.
Thanks.
__________________
PinkGirl
Dx Aug/05 at age 51
2cm. Stage 2A, Grade 3
ER+/PR-
Her2 +++
Sept 7/05 Mastectomy
4 FAC, 4 Taxol, no radiation
1 year of Herceptin
Tamoxifen for approx. 4 months,
Arimidex for 5 years
Prophylactic mastectomy June 22/09
" I yam what I yam." - Popeye
My Photo Album
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08-19-2007, 07:02 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 758
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Ferrous means containing iron. Most implants these days are titanium (even from 1991). I am a retired operating room nurse. You should be able to get an accurate implant list from the hospital where they were implanted.
Marlys
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08-20-2007, 05:00 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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PinkGirl,
I had a cervical spinal fusion and also a lumbar spinal fusion and I have no problem getting MRIs. The metal they use in fusion surgery is titanium (spelling?) You will not have any problem with getting MRIs.
__________________
Kate
Stage IIIC Diagnosed Oct 25, 2005 (age 58)
ER/PR-, HER2+++, grade 3, Ploidy/DNA index: Aneuploid/1.61, S-phase: 24.2%
Neoadjunct chemo: 4 A/C; 4 Taxatore
Bilateral mastectomy June 8, 2006
14 of 26 nodes positive
Herceptin June 22, 2006 - April 20, 2007
Radiation (X35) July 24-September 11, 2006
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
Stage IV lung mets July 13, 2007 - TCH
Single brain met - August 6, 2007 -CyberKnife
Oct 2007 - clear brain MRI and lung mets shrinking.
March 2008 lung met progression, brain still clear - begin Tykerb/Xeloda/Ixempra
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08-20-2007, 03:06 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manassas, Virginia
Posts: 8
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I have learned that most tissue expanders have a magnetic port in order to enable the plastic surgeon to locate the opening when adding the saline solution. When I tried to have a brain MRI, I was told that I could not have MRIs anywhere while I had the expander. Unfortunately, the surgeon who performed the mastectomy and recommended the tissue expander, did not mention the fact that the expander would prevent me from having MRIs. Had I known this, I would have waited with the expansion, particularly being HER2 positive. In retrospect, I think surgeons should give this information routinely prior to surgery. The metal used in most other implants, such has hip replacements, spinal implants etc., is titanium and does not interfer with MRIs.
Heidi
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08-20-2007, 05:02 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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don't know about the metal....but if you need meds to keep you sane for a CT and bone scan, you may want to consider it for the MRI as well. If it for your head, you are not "all the way in", but it is really loud - like dueling jackhammers!
__________________
Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial
5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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08-21-2007, 02:19 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 27
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Metal
I was unable to have a MRI because of a small piece of lead in my iris. They told me the magnetic field would pull the lead out of my eye. I'm thankful that I remembered it was there! Just be sure and tell them about any metal in your body. Better to be safe than sorry. Carol H.
__________________
Carol H., Florida
Right Breast 11-28-06
Lumpectomy
Infiltrating Carcinoma
Stage 1
Grade 11
1.5 cm
Sentinel Lymph Node Neg.
ER-
PR-
Her2+
Fish 2.5 Amplied
KI-67 20%
Radiation= 6 weeks
Refused Chemo & Herceptin
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08-21-2007, 09:26 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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Thanks for your input. I will definitely talk to someone about it if I need an MRI. I was hoping I couldn't have one and would get some other test -- because of my claustrophobia. But I guess I am getting a little ahead of myself here.
__________________
PinkGirl
Dx Aug/05 at age 51
2cm. Stage 2A, Grade 3
ER+/PR-
Her2 +++
Sept 7/05 Mastectomy
4 FAC, 4 Taxol, no radiation
1 year of Herceptin
Tamoxifen for approx. 4 months,
Arimidex for 5 years
Prophylactic mastectomy June 22/09
" I yam what I yam." - Popeye
My Photo Album
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