Does DCIS show up on a MRI scan?

Hi Lisa Janelle. Hi. Im in the Qld Public system. i also had dcis, detected on mammo as 2 small areas of calcification back in January this year. This is a long post, but as you asked about QLD, DCIS, Mastectomy, recon, implants, drains, Im not saying my experience is the same, but I may be able to answer some of your questions I had 2 core biopsies and both showed high grade DCIS. They were talking about lumpectomy and rads for me. My brother in law who is a gp in Sydney recomended I ask the surgeon for MRI before the surgery. They dont usually do it as it is expensive (go figure) but for some reason they did an MRI on me, covered by medicare. I had already done all the preop and it was 2 days before lumpectomy when results came in. It showed 9cm mass in the biopsy proven area. I had no lump, no sign at all.The mass could not be seen on mammo or UltraSound. Immediately they cancelled my lumpectomy at Nambour and referred me to RBWH for treatment. I went back to the start at the new hospital so time from diagnosis to surgery was almost 3 months. I also received the best and most compassionate of care in Public system at RBWH. They said mastectomy was my only option. Like you I struggled to believe it. I got a copy of the MRI disc and had it read again by 3 radiology specialists. I wondered could it be a mistake, was I going to lose my breast for nothing. I had read that MRI can give false results. What if I had the mastectomy and then found out I hadnt really needed it. Why was I getting a mastectomy when I didnt really even have cancer only DCIS. It seemed so radical. I was still asking could it be a mistake on the table just before the op at the end of March. I asked for immediate reconstruction. It isnt really immediate as it is still a fairly long process. I had to sort of apply for it, because it is a more complicated operation than a simple mastectomy . You had to be a non smoker, have a healthy BMI, not have diabetes or some other health conditions. You also had to have a fairly low risk of needing rads, Because rads can damage the skin and make the recon process more complicated. If you are eligible for the immediate recon and all goes to plan, you wont have the long waiting times because the process is started during the mastectomy itself. Some breast surgeons do both the mastectomy and the recon, but I asked for plastic surgeon, thinking they would have more advanced skills in the stitching. The breast surgeon and plastic surgeon were in the op together. Breast surgeon removed all breast tissue. In my case, nipple as well. They do sentinel node biopsy to check if any cancer cells in lymph nodes, while you are asleep, during mastectomy. RBWH has a way of immediate testing during the op. As I understand, If they had found cancer cells in sentinel nodes they would have taken another layer of nodes to determine how far the cancer had got and so on. Lucky for me the sentinel nodes were clear, so the plastic surgeon took over. I think that if they had found extensive spread and breast surgeon said rads would be needed then the Plastic surgeon would maybe not have proceeded.?????? They placed an expander which was then slowly inflated over the next few months.You wake up with the expander slightly inflated. They then do the biopsy of the breast tissue. My DCIS was actually 7 cm so the MRI had overestimated, but the mastectomy was definitely necessary. All my cancer was gone, thank goodness, so I was a plastic surgery patient then, in the plastic ward. I had 2 drains in for 10 days it wasnt particularly painful, and there were no complications. They kept me in the hospital the whole ten days maybe because I live 2 hours away, maybe because the plastic surgeons have different way of doing things. Maybe because the aeroform co2 expander is a newish technology??? Im not sure but he wouldnt let me go home till the drains came out. I felt good but very tired and was able to walk around outside and around the streets.Recovery was 6 weeks.I had an aeroform co2 expander, which I inflated at home, myself with a remote control. Then 3 months later this JUly, i had a silicon implant. This was a simple op, no drains, home the next day. 6 weeks recovery again. I have decided not to have my remaining breast lifted or changed, but I could have if I wanted to, covered by the public system. I am on the list for a nipple but I'm rethinking it now and might just get the 3D tatoo, which is also covered by medicare. What started as a horrific and terrifying nightmare, I have now got used to. I look good and feel comfy in my swimmers, which was super important to me, I can do everything I always did except for some small movement problems with my shoulder. My implant is quite big and can be slightly uncomfortable at times. It also feels cold and a bit numb. I loved my old figure but Im still the same person and feeling very happy and bright about the new Year. Im feeling very grateful to be healthy. I hope it all goes well for you. The scariest part really is the unknown and the waiting. I hope you get the answers soon. Hugs Vallerina xx

Sorry @Lisa Janelle, not sure. Hopefully one of the ladies here will be able to help you out but if not you could always ask your breast care nurse or try phoning the BCNA helpline because they also have nurses who can answer questions that you have. PH 1800 500 258. Not sure if they will be manned on public holidays though. Wishing you all the best. Xx Cath

After a straight mastectomy it can be overnight. I had a bilateral mastectomy and tissue expanders and sling in so was in 4 days, mainly due to illness from anaesthetic. I went home with drains.This link explains the process a bit more. https://www.reclaimyourcurves.org.au/implant-breast-reconstruction.htmlCall the public hospital you are referred to tomorrow and ask to be put in touch with a breast care nurse attached to the womens health or breast and endocrine unit. Failing that...https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/OurMission/OurNurses/FindANurse.aspxWe have a breast reconstruction group including photo stories as well you may wish to join.

Hi @lisa janelle, I initially had a lumpectomy, then a mastectomy on the left. I had to wait 2 years for reconstruction because of radiotherapy damage. I chose LD reconstruction. Then I had reduction on the other side. The two years actually went by really quickly. I was a bit self conscious about wearing a breast form initially, but I got used to it. All of my treatment has been private, but my doctor also works in the public system. I guess if I was approaching my doctor now, I would ask:What are my options?How much will this cost?Do you operate in the public system? If I go public, what would the waiting time be?How long do drains usually stay in? What is the recovery time?When can I start driving/ get back to work? I’ve always wanted to ask “What is your success rate?”, but have never been game to. I have also googled a surgeon’s name with the word ‘complaints/ problems’ and this has been quite useful in deciding not to have a surgeon for another procedure. Word of mouth is also really helpful in choosing a surgeon. My recovery time was quite long due to complications and you don’t know what your reaction will be until you have the surgery. I was quite surprised that it was so involved. It’s good to ask questions and feel comfortable with your surgeon. My surgeon and anaesthetists have never charged a gap so that has been great. They have all been wonderful. All the best. xx

My drain was quite painful at times and as I had a skin & nipple sparing mastectomy, and have large breasts, there was a lot of empty space to fill, so i had my drain in for over 4 weeks - then ended up with complications (sorosis & cellulitis) and another week in hospital and another different kind of drain inserted. I’m in the QLD public system and the treatment I have received has been wonderful. I was told no immediate recon due to radiation as it tends to destroy the tissue of the reconstructed breast. With regards to pain, your medical team can prescribe appropriate pain relief & sleeping pills if you need them as well. I am still wearing the soft form & mastectomy bra they gave me prior to surgery, it’s really not noticeable to others. You can add or remove the stuffing to suit. My radiation burns are still healing, once they do I will be looking to buy a proper prosthetic ($400-$420 @ Myer), which is rebatable on Medicare (up to $400 every two years) and also through most health funds extras cover. There are special bras to fit them in as well that are specially designed for the purpose & there’s some really nice ones. I am in the Logan area now, but as I was in North Bris when I had surgery, my treatment was all through RBWH. Feel free to send me a pm with any questions, also happy to catch up for coffee if you’d prefer. I have photos of different parts of my treatment I posted on my private Facebook page for my friends and have always been happy to answer family & friends questions. Happy to chat, answer questions & show you photos, etc if you want. Cat.

MRI | BCNA Online Network

melclarity
Member
8 years ago
@Lisa Janelle hopefully some other members can jump in, there are a few up in Qld. I think generally they wouldnt do an immediate reconstruction, but they could put an expander in until such time as they could redo the implant. Something you could do which I have done before is, ring and speak with the Surgeon to clarify those things or I have also emailed too as you are waiting til Jan 18?

There is a wait for reconstruction up there yes, but again its on a case by case basis, I was placed at category 1 purely because I had a recurrence at 4yrs and 1yr after treatment I decided on a single mastectomy as mine was preventative I was able to have immediate diep flap reconstruction.

Youre not being selfish at all, completely normal! so I honestly would seek a conversation with your Surgeon, I'd write down exactly what you need to know as you have asked here. M
Lisa_Janelle
Member
8 years ago
@melclarity as they r only taking one off I gather I will rather lopsided. I am freaking out. I know that is selfish as it could be worse. I don’t think I’ll be able to leave the house I will be so self conscious. I am in qld public system. I am reading there is wait for reconstruction. ???? Does anyone know
Lisa_Janelle
Member
8 years ago
I already have implants so I have a pocket I gather so why can’t they cut it out and reconstruction straight away. Seems such a long progress.
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
Hi @Lisa Janelle yes it is I who said about biopsies and I only say it for me as my first biopsy came back benign so it missed it altogether thankfully my Surgeon wasnt convinced and I did a lumpectomy and I had DCIS. So it's more the point of they get a benign result as opposed to positive. With your results of 7cm from nipple to chest wall it is totally understandable that its just too difficult to do a successful lumpectomy and because of that result feel a mastectomy is the only way to go. Based on that, it actually is the best recommendation. It certainly is difficult there is no mistaking that, and with your results it seems their recommendation is relevant. I really recommend talking with your Surgeon or even a Counsellor that helped me enormously as mentally it is extremely difficult to get your head around.

Hang in there, you will get through it, we are all proof of it. Hugs Melinda xo
Lisa_Janelle
Member
8 years ago
Hi @melclarity I am confused as I am not sure who said that the biopsy can be wrong I would like to be sure 100% before they give me a mastectomy. Or am I just wishful thinking. I go back on the 18th January. To the doctor. Just seems so extreme mammogram biopsy and chop.
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
Hello @Lisa Janelle it is a good question, I found this excerpt as follows

Mammography largely detects DCIS through the presence of microcalcifications on the X-ray image.MRI is actually not very effective at identifying microcalcifications. On an MR image, calcium deposits can occasionally be seen as tiny signal voids, but they are not as reliably detected as with mammography.

Hugs Melinda xo
socoda
Member
8 years ago
Sorry @Lisa Janelle, not sure. Hopefully one of the ladies here will be able to help you out but if not you could always ask your breast care nurse or try phoning the BCNA helpline because they also have nurses who can answer questions that you have. PH 1800 500 258. Not sure if they will be manned on public holidays though. Wishing you all the best. Xx Cath

Forum Discussion

MRI

Related Content

MRI's

MRI

Anxious wait after MRI

Mri hookwire

Breast MRI

Recent Discussions

BreastScreen NSW now to advise of Breast density

Do you have lymphoedema?

Election called

Travelling overseas with zoladex injections

New will

Disclaimer:

Foundation partner	Major partners