Mammogram vs MRI

tousled1 · 06-20-2006, 05:33 AM

I agree that the MRI is the best route, especially for dense breasts. The MRIs pick up much smaller tumors than does a mammogram.

DeeUK · 06-20-2006, 06:14 AM

Thank you all for your advice

I'm going to print the article and take it with me next week. I'm going to see my breast care nurse to talk about a few things, and this is on my list.

And thanks Maria, for the info about MRIs/mammograms and calcifications.. I didn't know that.

I've just been speaking to someone who's 13 years older than me. Her 4.6cm tumour didn't show up on a mammogram! Doesn't fill you with much confidence about them, does it!

Thanks again for all your help

Love & hugs,
Dee
xxx

sarah · 06-21-2006, 10:52 AM

MRI shows more than a mammogram.
sarah

G. Ann · 06-21-2006, 08:40 PM

Hi DeeUK,

Keep trying for MRI and good luck -- My mammo in 2003 missed my tumor (even though I felt a lump, the OB/GYN felt a lump, and the tech felt the lump) because of dense breasts, even at 56 years old; the results stating normal mammo so I wasn't worried. Six months later I decided to have the lump/cyst drained and ended up with a 2.5 cm tumor. I had mastectomy in 2004. My HMO still will not order MRI even though I've had 4 cysts, microcalcifications, and a solid lump (supposedly does not show cancer) in remaining breast since 2004. They will only perform digital mammo. I got a price quoted outside of my HMO with my second opinion oncologist. His facility quoted me $4500 (US dollars) for one breast. I haven't shopped around though so this might be a very high quote.
G.Ann

tousled1 · 06-21-2006, 08:59 PM

G. Ann,

If everyone could feel the lump but it didn't show up on the mammo, why didn't they do an ultrasound? Before I was diagnosed I felt the lump so my primary care physican ordered a "diagnostic mammogram." I'm not sure what the difference is between a regular mammo and a diagnostic mammo other than the ultrasound portion.

G. Ann · 06-21-2006, 10:31 PM

Hi Tousled1,I have had many cysts in both breasts for over 10 years. I always had them drained at the next doctor visit if I had appt scheduled or made a new appt. In 2003 the OB/GYN suggested doing the mammo first rather than draining lump during my office visit, which was a different strategy. When I received the mammo results in the mail, it said "normal," I let too much time elapse, six months, before going back in to have lump drained... just got complacent and thought "it's just a cyst, like always." About three months after the 2003 mammo, I started to experience pain. I stupidly thought I remembered reading that cancerous tumors did not cause pain, only cysts, so wasn't worried, plus no BC in my family history, and besides my past experiences showed it was always a cyst/cysts. Also, my son was having his wedding, my father was in a nursing home and I needed to visit him 2000 miles away, Christmas was around the corner, etc. and I just dragged my feet. Believe me, I beat myself up for over a year after diagnosis. My friends reminded me that I was always good about going to check lumps out. If I ever hear of anyone delaying action, I warn them of risks because you never know. Any and every lump should be examined and in my opinion not just with a mammo.

Before BC in 2004, an ultrasound was never used, just the FNA once lump felt. Four months after chemo stopped, I had ultrasound done for one lump that I could feel on remaining breast--it showed three new cysts plus the one I felt and all were eventually drained, but it took several months, and lots of crazy making time. Last mammo in 1/06 showed "loosely clustered microcalcifications," and recommendation was to "wait and watch" for 6 mos (so easy for radiologist to say) as they are "probably benign," then do another digital mammo, which will happen in July. I did feel another lump 3/06, went to surgeon, and it was biopsied showing no evidence of cancer, but I still have the lump and it's hard not to worry that microcalcifications are getting tightly clustered, meaning BC again. The above is the reason why I have been pushing for MRI.

So my new plan is to get the remaining breast removed this fall since HMO will not perform the MRI. The surgeon agreed he would do it although doesn't think it is medically necessary at this time. Sorry to be so lengthy, but my frustration level gets me going.
G.Ann

mekasan · 06-21-2006, 10:42 PM

I believe the difference between the diagnositic mammo vs the screening mammo is not the process, but rather the purpose. It is an insurance billing coding thing. If the doctor feels that there might be a problem, the laws say the insurance companies must cover certain tests. I think the extra ultrasound was just a backup diagnostic tool. I had both done when they were looking for my cancer. And then an MRI.

I know that when digital mammo came out, they were permitted for diagnostic mammos, but not used for screening mammos. I believe this was because there were not that many machines available and someone with power felt they should be reserved for the most serious cases.

Now these are just my middle of the night thoughts, so anyone, please correct me where I am misinformed.

Thanks