10 microcalcifications in a cluster

[Monica59]

Hello, I had a mammogram where they found a cluster of 10 microcalcifcations, is there an amount of microcalcifications where the number becomes significant??

If microcalcifications are found in one breast what's the likelihood of having them show up in the other breast?

In reading about treatments-is it possible to have a lumpectomy with that many microcalcifications if it's cancerous??? In reading about mastectomies-why does the nipple have to be removed?

Thank you so much for any answers.

[japdip]

Microcalcifications are not in and of themselves cancerous. They appear as tiny dots on the film and it is only whan they are observed in certain patterns or clusters that they become suspicious. They are an indication that the breast is reacting to some abnormality within the breast tissue .... this is not always cancer. 10 calcifications is not an unusual number and it's the pattern rather than the number that counts. Calcifications appear normally scattered about within the breast tissue and are of no particular concern. As far as appropriate action; a biopsy is the first step to determine the cause of the calcifications. i believe you are thinking much too far ahead right now .... many biopsies of calcifications return a benign result and no further action is necessary. Take a few steps back and hold off on the internet research for now.    Regards ....