How Long to Continue Breast Mri Following Cancer Diagnosis

Breast MRI scan

MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It uses magnetism and radio waves to create cross sectional pictures of the body. It produces pictures from angles all around the body and shows up soft tissues very clearly.

You usually have an MRI scan in the x-ray (radiology) department as an outpatient. It can take up to an hour and a half.

Why you might have it

For women with lobular breast cancer a breast MRI scan might be used to see the cancer. This is because lobular breast cancer doesn't show up well on a mammogram or breast ultrasound. A breast MRI scan might also be used to assess the size of the cancer to check which kind of surgery is possible.

MRI scan is also used in breast screening for young women who are at higher risk of developing cancer. They might be at higher risk due to having family members with cancer or because they have certain gene abnormalities (mutations).

You might have an MRI scan if you have chemotherapy before surgery (neo adjuvant treatment). You have this before and after your chemotherapy. This shows how well the chemotherapy is working.

Preparing for your MRI scan

Before you go to your appointment, or when you arrive, you fill in a safety checklist. This asks about:

any operations you've had
whether you have any metal implants or other metals in your body

An MRI scan uses strong magnetism which could affect any metal in your body. This includes:

pacemakers or an implantable defibrillator (to treat abnormal heart rhythms)
surgical clips, pins or plates
cochlear implants (for deafness)
metal fragments anywhere in your body – for example from an injury, dental fillings and bridges

You can still have an MRI scan if you have some metals in your body, but your doctor and radiographer decide if it's safe for you. Tell the scanner staff about any metals in your body.

Some people feel claustrophobic or closed in when they're having an MRI scan. Contact the department before your test if you're likely to feel like this. The hospital staff can take extra care to make sure you're comfortable and that you understand what's going on. Your doctor can give you medicine to help you relax if you need to.

An MRI is generally safe during pregnancy. But as a precaution, you usually won't have one during the first 3 months of your pregnancy.

Tell the department staff beforehand if you think you're pregnant.

What to expect

When you arrive at the scan department

The radiographer might ask you to change into a hospital gown.

You also have to:

remove any jewellery, including body piercings and your watch
remove your hair clips
empty your pockets of coins and keys

It's safe to take a relative or friend into the scanning room with you. But check with the department staff first. Your friend or relative will also need to remove any metal they have on them.

In the scanning room

Your radiographer takes you into the scanning room. The MRI machine is large and shaped like a doughnut.

You might have an injection of a dye (contrast medium) through a small plastic tube (cannula) into a vein in your arm. This helps to show up your body's organs more clearly. Some people are allergic to the dye, so your radiographer will check first about any medical conditions or allergies you have.

After the dye injection you may:

feel sick
have a headache
feel warm or flushed
have a metallic taste in your mouth
feel a little dizzy

These effects are usually mild and last for a short time. Tell your radiographer if you feel unwell at any point during or after your scan.

Having the MRI scan

For your breast MRI, you lie on your front over a padded cushion with an opening for both breasts. Once you're in the right position, your radiographer leaves the room. They can see you on a TV screen or through a window at all times from the control room. You can talk to each other through an intercom.

You need to lie as still as possible. The scan is painless but it can be uncomfortable to stay still. Tell them if you're getting stiff and need to move.

The couch moves through the MRI scanner. It takes pictures as you move through it. Your radiographer might ask you to hold your breath at times.

The scanner makes a very loud clanging sound throughout the scan. You wear headphones to protect your hearing. You can also listen to music. Keeping your eyes closed can help.

This 1 minute video shows you what happens when you have an MRI scan. The video shows a person having an MRI lying on their back, please remember you lie on your front when having a breast MRI.

Transcript

Voiceover: This is an MRI scanner.

This type of scan uses magnetism to build up a picture of the inside of your body to help your doctor either make a diagnosis and decide what treatment you need or to find out if your treatment is working.

The radiographer makes sure you are lying in the correct position on the couch and explains what will happen.

You need to lie as still as possible.

MRI scans are very noisy so you wear ear plugs or headphones. During the scan you won't feel anything.

The space you lie in can feel small if you think you will find it difficult being in a small space, contact the scanning department before your appointment.

The radiographer controls the scan from a separate room but they will be able to see and hear you throughout.

Here you can see an example of an MRI scan.

Once the scan is finished you can go home.

After your scan

When the scan is over, your radiographer comes back into the room and lowers the couch so that you can get up.

You usually stay in the department for about 15 minutes after your scan if you've had the dye. This is in case it makes you feel unwell.

Your radiographer removes the cannula from the vein in your arm before you leave.

You should then be able to go home or back to work, and also eat and drink normally.

Getting your results

You should get your results within 1 or 2 weeks at a follow up appointment.

Waiting for test results can be a very worrying time. You might have contact details for a specialist nurse who you can contact for information if you need to. It can help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you feel.

You can also contact the Cancer Research UK nurses on freephone 0808 800 4040 for information and support. The lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Contact the doctor who arranged the test if you haven't heard anything after a couple of weeks.

Possible risks

An MRI is very safe and doesn't use radiation. Some people can't have an MRI but the checklist picks this up beforehand. Your doctor and radiographer make sure the benefits of having the test outweigh any possible risks. The risks include:

Bruising and swelling

You might get a small bruise around the area where they put the needle in for the cannula.

There's a risk that the contrast medium will leak outside the vein. This can cause swelling and pain in your arm but it's rare. Tell your radiographer if you have any swelling or pain. Let your GP know if it doesn't get better or starts to get worse when you're at home.

Allergic reaction

An allergic reaction to the contrast medium injection is rare. This most often starts with feeling weak, sweating and difficulty breathing. Tell your radiographer straight away if you feel unwell so they can give you medicine to control the reaction.

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Source: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/getting-diagnosed/tests-diagnose/breast-mri-scan