Just got results from a breast mri that is not good. Why is the breast mri one of the last tests?

Sharla, an MRI often reveals false-positives: things that LOOK like cancer, but once they're biopsied, they're not. So you may or may not have more cancer in your breast. But since you didn't get clean margins, you probably need a mastectomy regardless of what the MRI says. Why it's taken them so long to get through the tests, I couldn't say; though I do know that everything takes longer in the summer, because people go on vacation. My advice would be to do what the doctors say: mastectomy + chemo. Keep things moving forward, so you can get through treatment and get back on the road to health. I know you're frustrated and probably angry at the wait, but no sense stressing over it now; it's done. Move forward with confidence. I wish you all the best - PJH

Most often these tests take approval from your insurance company, sometimes denied and needing to be justified by your doctor - which can take weeks just to get the ok.  Also as PJ mentioned the MRI is not as accurate as other test.  A PET CT Scan is more reliable, and while it will not show just a cancer cell, it does detect a group of cells or a tumor.  But since an MRI can show false-positive results many doctors like to do the whole range of tests then compare them to one another before making a diagnosis or recommendation.  Even though your cancer is labeled as "aggressive", it did not spread over night.  It still takes many months for a new tumor to grow.  Your doctors are most likely recommending a mastectomy because they did not get clear margins and other tumors show present - and rather than biopsy each tumor or try to remove them, they feel it better to just remove the whole breast tissue - which is pretty standard.  If you did not have other areas, then going back into the orirginal site and removing more tissue would most likely be done - based on the findings of other tests.  Don't think this as being what is easiest for the doctor to do - they obviously think that the benefit of such outweighs any risks, etc. 

my suggestion to you would be to find out what kind of procedure they are recommending (a modified radical, a radical, or just a mastectomy) and read up on the different procedures; consult with a plastic surgeon about possible immediate reconstruction - and don't forget to find out if he intends on taking any or all of your nodes, as resulting lymphedema is also a possibility.  This way you can be best prepared for what is to come.

Best of luck to you!

Angi