7 calcification cluster

[tallgirl511]

I am 49 and skipped 4 years of mammograms due to serious back pain that required almost two years of pain and surgery.  I am worried now, since last week my mammogram showed a cluster of 7 calcifications in my right breast. Four years ago, I had 2 calcifications, but not in a cluster.  The radiologist told me that because of my age. and the fact that I have a mother who had (so far 5 years clean) breast cancer (DCIS) in her 70's that I had reason to be concerned. I had a benign breast tumor removed in 2002 from the right breast.  The radiologist explained that the calcifications have a 50% chance of being benign or malignant.  I have scheduled an appointment with a breast surgeon and must wait 6 weeks to get in.  Are these odds accurate?  It seems like bad odds and it really made me worry.  It seems so long to wait to get started on this.  Could you give me some insight on this?  I see other people writing in have said there is only a 15% chance of these being cancer.  Thanks.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear tallgirl511:  Microcalcifications are small calcium deposits found within the breast tissue.  Microcalcifications in and of themselves are not a condition that would become cancerous however they can be a sign of a problem that may need further investigation based on their appearance on a mammogram.  For instance microcalcifications that are more scattered are probably due to a benign (non-cancerous) cause, a “cluster” of microcalcifications may increase concern that there may be an underlying tumor, thus the recommendation for further testing which may include a biopsy.  The appearance of a new area of microcalcifications is not uncommon and each occurrence of a new area of microcalcifications would be evaluated separately.  If you are concerned about the wait, you might try calling to see if the appointment could be moved up or consider an appointment with a different surgeon.  

[topinka]

A related discussion, cluster calcifications was started.