Mri

I am about to have my first MRI before starting chemo. Had CT last week. I was told MRI is good for measuring from but not so good for diagnosing from apparently. So it is good for comparing to see if the chemo is having the desired effect.

HiYouhavegotthis

I think this MRI will be to check the dimensions of your lump part way through your chemo, so that they can be sure that it is shrinking and responding positively to treatment. I had one at that stage and also after 5th chemo dose. Fingers crossed for you that it is smaller on MRI.

WallyDug

MRI is good for seeing size and shape. I had one after mammogram and ultrasound when first diagnosed and it clearly showed my lump to be bigger than they thought from ultrasound. (Mine didn't even show up on mammogram and it was almost 4cm!)

I had 2 MRIs during chemo, one after 3rd cycle and 1 after 5th cycle so that they could also plan for surgery.

Thank you so much. That makes sense. Do they take imagines of your whole body to see if it's still contained or just of your breast? X

I think just the breast area for MRI.

CT was pelvis, abdomen & chest - that was to check for spread.

I am scared it's spread and they aren't going to find out because they don't check  I just can't stop thinking about it!

Could you talk to your breast care nurse for some reassurance?

Others may know better than me as I’ve not had my first MR yet (couple of days time) but I think it also covers lymph node area close to the breasts.

I was told it may show up small things in other areas which could lead to further biopsies just to be sure. So I assumed it was covering lymph nodes too.

Hi youhavegotthis l can totally understand your concerns. I have had a bilateral mastectomy and node clearance and haven't had a CT it an MRI and it worries me I have asked but they say I don't need one ? How do they know I suppose we just need to trust that they are the experts . Best wishes 

Jayne X 

Hi my mri showed my lymph nodes. I had a mri with contrast and they showed clear on my mri and they was clearbon histology xxx