Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 7/31/2008

Question
QUESTION: Have stage l BC, lumpectomy and radiation 2003.  Have implants both breasts and dense breast tissue, also an additional biopsy in affected breast and two benign biopsies in opposite breast.  59 years old.  Do you recommend MRI as follow up and how often.  Also, do you recommended ultrasounds along with routine mammos?

ANSWER: Actually since you have dense breasts I do recommend a combination of mammography, ultrasound scans & MRI scans at least once per year. Good luck!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Is dense breast the key?  I had one follow up MRI after diagnosis and it gave a false positive which resulted in a biopsy so since that time my doctors have been hesitant to do so.  Originally they said mammo one year, MRI the next and so on.  The radiologist questioned why they were ordering a ultrasound as she said this was usually used if the mammo should something questionable.  She reluctantly went ahead with the ultrasound and it showed a complex cyst, aspiration proved this to be benign. What is your explanation for the 3 fold testing.  Knowing this I can better address this with my  doctors??  Thank your again!

Answer
Yes it is! Mammography, ultrasound & MRI are different methods, none is perfect but each have different advantages & disadvantages (though ultrasound & MRI work better in dense breasts). So a combined use give us a better total picture. Better a false positive than a false negative! But yes MRI is in some ways over sensitive. Ok? Uncertain results SHOULD always be checked with at least needle biopsies!