2nd biopsy

[serikeet]

In 2001 I was told I needed a biopsy for calcifications in the left breast;the biopsy was normal. My left breast continued to be sore and sensitive after the biospy. Recently the breast became notable more sore and I found that wearing a bra was more comfortable than not. I have a pacemaker implanted above my left breast. After a recent mammogram I was told that there were tiny,like, ground glass clacifications and many more than before and that I should do another biopsy. The surgeon showed me the xrays and I really did not see what she was describing. I am wondering if there is scar tissue and damage from the 1st biopsy? I also have been reading about clacifications and heart disease and wonder if since I do have a pacemaker is there any correlation? My surgeon does not understand why I want a secod opinion, my primary doctor suggest I go to not just a surgeon but a breast specialist, what are your thoughts?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear serikeet:  Although it is possible that you have developed scar tissue from the first biopsy, it is unlikely that this is the explanation for what is seen now.  Also, the types of calcifications that form in breast tissue are different from those that may be contributing to your heart situation.  I tend to agree with your primary doctor - a breast specialist would be a good person to help sort this out for you.

[surgeon]

the pacemaker would have no bearing on the findings. It's very possible that prior surgery could have caused the new calcifications; on the other hand, depending on the appearance of the calcifications, when new ones appear it's important to be sure what is the cause. As you know, cancer is on the list of causes. So, whereas the explanation could well be that it's from scar tissue, the only way to be certain is with a biopsy. The concept of watchful waiting makes sense only when an area in question remains stable. If the calcifications are increasing, it's hard to justify simply watching them grow in number without knowing for sure what's going on.

[serikeet]

Can having a biopsy cause calcifications?
In looking at xrays on the internet I have not seen any that compare to mine, nor a description that correlates to mine,
what would that suggest to you?
Is it common for the breast to remain tender  forever after biopsy?
Since there is new research on calcifications and heart disease,
is it possible that my calcifications are caused because I am pacemaker dependent?

[surgeon]

as I said, the pacemaker has no bearing on this situation. Breast calcifications have nothing to do with your pacemaker, or need for it. As I also said, scar tissue can form calcifications -- scar tissue from a biopsy. But as I further said, if you have developing calcifications, even in an area of scar, there's no way to know for sure what they are just by looking at them. Finally, when radiologists evaluate calcifications, among other things they look at them with magnification. There's no way to get a meaningful picture of calcifications from an internet picture.