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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
2nd round of calcifications. need biopsies....
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
2nd round of calcifications. need biopsies....
by shabby6485, Nov 05, 2009 01:19PM
Hi,
Quick recap. I am 44. Mother had bc, I have ADH and dense breasts. Had stereotactic biopsy last year after calcs were found. That's when I was diagnosed with ADH. Was put on an alternating 6 month MRI/mammo schedule.
Had MRI last May which was fine. Had mammo this week and two new sets of clustered micros were found under my lumpectomy site. Now I am subjected to two more biopsies.
Wouldn't the MRI have shown DCIS? I know it's not good with calcs but wouldn't it have shown anything? Also, is it possible these calcs are from my surgery? I cannot believe I am going through this again and I am scared. By the way, they are a birads 4. Thank you..
Quick recap. I am 44. Mother had bc, I have ADH and dense breasts. Had stereotactic biopsy last year after calcs were found. That's when I was diagnosed with ADH. Was put on an alternating 6 month MRI/mammo schedule.
Had MRI last May which was fine. Had mammo this week and two new sets of clustered micros were found under my lumpectomy site. Now I am subjected to two more biopsies.
Wouldn't the MRI have shown DCIS? I know it's not good with calcs but wouldn't it have shown anything? Also, is it possible these calcs are from my surgery? I cannot believe I am going through this again and I am scared. By the way, they are a birads 4. Thank you..
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Nov 05, 2009 02:45PM
, Nov 05, 2009 02:45PM
Dear shabby6485: Microcalcifications are very fine specks of calcium that light up on a mammogram. Sometimes they can be an indication of cancer or precancer. Based on their pattern on the mammogram it gives the radiologist clues as to their cause. For instance microcalcifications that are more scattered are probably due to benign (non-cancerous) causes (such as normal wear and tear on the tissue), a “cluster” of microcalcifications may increase concern that there may be an underlying tumor.
MRI and mammograms are very different tests and evaluate tissue using different methods. What shows up on one may not show on the other. MRI's tend to be very sensitive but no test is perfect. Unfortunately, if the recommendation is biopsy, this may be the only way to know the nature of these calcifications.
MRI and mammograms are very different tests and evaluate tissue using different methods. What shows up on one may not show on the other. MRI's tend to be very sensitive but no test is perfect. Unfortunately, if the recommendation is biopsy, this may be the only way to know the nature of these calcifications.
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