BI - RAD 4 need stereotactic biopsy

I had my annual mammo on 2/5/10. Radiologist called to tell me that I need a diagnostic mammo for micocalcification on my left breast. Had the Diagnostic magnification mammogram today, 2/19/10. The findings were:
The calcifications in question seen only on the implant displacement views and are located between 12 and 1 o'clock, 3.5 cm deep to the nipple. They appear "Smudgy" on all views, and do not layer. They may be associated with a small nodule, but this is not definitive. Stereotactic biopsy is suggested.
Made an appointment with a breast surgeon for the 26th of February. Has anyone had this? Just a little concerned, thinking positive that everything will be ok....but the fear keeps creaping in. I do not have a family history of breast cancer, but did lose my son to brain cancer 19 years ago.
Thank you

[zouzi]

Hi,
It is normal for calcifications to develop in the breast tissue. The pattern of their growth will increase or decrease the level of concern. The concern comes when calcifications are clustered. Clusters often form around areas of abnormal tissue growth. This could be many things but generally requires further investigation. Most BIRADS category 4 give a benign result, but a biopsy may be the only way to find out the nature of this abnormality.The BIRAD reading is determined by the radiologist's level of suspicion. I am sorry about the loss of your son...there is nothing worse than this...but I don't think that it has anything to do with the calcification found in your breast.
I hope that your biopsy will be uneventful and most of all that it's going to be a benign finding.All the best to you and good luck...

[bluebutterfly2222]

I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your son to brain cancer. However, this would not be associated with your risk for BC.

A BIRADS 4 score does call for a biopsy, but benign findings are possible.
The thread below discusses both stereotactic and excisional biopsy:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Breast-Cancer/stereotactic-vs-excisional-biopsy/show/1177899

We will be hoping for the best! Please keep us posted on how things turn out.

Best wishes...

[Angelapom]

Thank you for your response. Mine are clustered. I am keeping a positvie attitude and thinking only good thoughts. I will let you know how everything turns out.
Again, Thank you.
Angela

[Angelapom]

Thank you for the link. I will deff. keep you posted.
Angela

[yuki1227]

Hi,
Read your concern about a stereotactic biop,which I to will be having it on Feb 25th,one day before you.I am scared as you are probably aware.I have "grouped/clustered"microcalcification in my upper outter right quadrant breast bi-rads 4,which I know cant be felt.Angela,I know both you n I are scared to have this procedure done,but its a must.If I feel up to it,I will post my experience(hopefully a not so bad one)so you have some idea,as you willl have yours done on friday. I have heard that it is more of a discomfort than it is painful,which I can tolerate.Try not to worry,as I know that it is super hard,but we must be strong,n think positive which is half the battle itself!

[Angelapom]

Hi Yuki,
Hope your biopsy went well. I met with the surgeon today (3/1 snow cancelled my appt. last weeK). She told me I do have to have a stereotactic biopsy done. I am now waiting for the breast center to call with an appointment for me.She looked at my mammograms and said that my calcification formed a small tumor. She said that there is an 80% chance that it is benign( will be keeping my fingers crossed) and there is a 20% chance that it isn't. I am really trying to keep positive thoughts in my head, but that is soooo hard to do. She did say, that after the biopsy is done it will take 3 to 4 days for the results. This is so frustrating and scary at the same time.

Please let me know how everything went, and what your results are. I will keep you in my prayers. I do know how your feeling.

[Angelapom]

Hi just wanted to give you an update. I will be having my stereotactic biopsy on Thursday March 4th. at 11am. at the Mary T. Sachs breast center in pennsylvania. Please keep me in your prayers.
Thanks,
Angela

[bluebutterfly2222]

My thoughts and prayers will be with you tomorrow, and during the wait for the results as well.

Hang in there,
bb2222

[yuki1227]

Hi Angela,
I had my stereotactic biopsy on Feb 25th,it went really well.I had literally had nightmares about having the proedure done as ive heard that the pain varies.To me,it was'nt bad at all,maybe just a little uncomfortable if even at that.The procedure is just a long one,dont worry(I know everyone says that)!it is HARD to do.Like you,my bi-rad was 4,n your doc is right,the odds are DEFINITELY in your favor at 80-85% benign.Happy to say,mine was in that %'s,and most likely yours will to! My patholgy report was "fibrocystic changes"in calcifications,what a relief! Just say,if yours come out to be in the 20% malignant,which I highly doubt,it probably will be in the early stages which is HIGHLY curable.I just wanna try to reassure you that for me the biopsy was not painful just a little uncomfortable,but long.At times,I wanted to cancel my appt because I was terrified to say the least,but never did as I realize how important it is for peace of mind.I am 44 yrs old,n now that I got through this I think im going through premenopause,which could be n explanation for changes in my breasts.I dont know,im just guessing.If its not 1 thing,its another! getting old is the pitts! u will be in my prayers Angela,as i know it'll be ok.post me back with the good news!

yuki1227

[bluebutterfly2222]

Congrats on your benign results!

And thanks for sharing your experience, so that others will know it's doable.

Best wishes...

[yuki1227]

Hi,
THANKS A MILLION!!!!!! I know how terrifying all of these terminology that we 're not used to hearing can be,n when I was trying to search for a site where we can get some answers,n comfort I was so happy that I found medhelp! Gave me alot of simple clarification,n women who are having the same conditions.Alot of positive attitudes!!!

yuki1227

[ncmichigan]

So happy to hear about your benign results--tha's great news.
None of us like going through these procedures, but it's well
worth it to know we're doing all we can for ourselves. Not knowing
is way worse to me than dealing with things and getting on with it!
I'm wishing you only good things in the future!
nc

[ncmichigan]

I'm sending you my wishes for all the best with your biopsy tomorrow. I know it's WAY easier said than done, but try not to worry too much. You'll get through it just
fine and everyone will try to make it as easy on you as possible. The wait for the results will be hard, but try to keep positive, keep yourself distracted by whatever works for you and pamper yourself a little if you can. All our positive thoughts and
good wishes will be flowing your way!
Sending you a big hug from Michigan (     ),
nc

[Angelapom]

Hi Everyone,
Well I had my biopsy today 3/4. My pathology report will come in next week sometime. The procedure itself was fine, the only thing that bothered me was my neck, from lying on my belly and having it turned to the side. The needle that numbs your boob was only a slight pinch and that was it. The doctor and the nurse were so comforting and talked to me the whole time during the procedure, they had a real calming affect, which was an added relief. I am a little sore but I am taking my tylenol for the discomfort like they said to do. been icing 20 min. on then 20 min. off. I am also so glad that I found this sight. You are a,"GREAT" bunch of women. I will let you know what my pathology report says next week. I am going to the ballet on Saturday so that will deff. keep my mind occupied. Thinking good thoughts!
Angela

[bluebutterfly2222]

Thanks for the updating us so quickly.

I'm glad the procedure went well for you!  And thank you for sharing your experience, so that others will have more of an idea regarding what to expect.

We'll be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers as we wait along with you for your results...

Warm regards,
bluebutterfly

[Angelapom]

Hi Everyone,
It's 3/9/2010 The doctor just called, with my results from the biopsy. Everything is GOOD!!!!!! I just have to have mammograms every six months. I am so Happy!!!!! Thank you girls for being there and answering all of my questions.
Angela

[zouzi]

Congratulations Angela ! I am very happy for you....Thank you so much for letting us know.

[bluebutterfly2222]

Your good news made my day!

Warm regards,
bluebutterfly

[ncmichigan]

WONDERFUL news, Angela!!! We're all so happy for you!
It's so great to know the outcome of the biopsy from the
women we get know here. Thanks for sharing, and I wish
you all the very best in the future.
Hugs,
nc

[yuki1227]

Hey there,
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! I am sooooo HAPPY or you with your fine results.
Thanks for the update,as you were in my prayers all along!

May the very best to you in the future!

Yuki1227

[Tina2678]

Congratulations to you.  I am waiting on results from a vacuum biopsy; BIRADS 4; HOPE MY RESULTS ARE AS GOOD AS YOURS!

[qiqifufu]

Glad to find this website.  I am going to have my biopsy tomorrow afternoon at 2:0 pm.  I am 45, had my first mamogram (mammogram) last weekend, and a diagnostic mamogram (mammogram) and ultrasound last Thursday.  They found a clustered microcalcifications on the rgiht breast, 10:30 clock postion, 8 cm away from the nipple.  The radiologist gave me a BI-RADS Category 4 diagnosis.  No family history of BC.  I am really scared right now, even though I have tried very hard to stay positive.  

[bluebutterfly2222]

Welcome to our community!

I understand what a scary time it must be for you, having just gone for your first mammogram, and now finding yourself preparing to undergo biopsy! Try to keep in mind, though, that many people get benign results after a BIRADS 4 rating.

I hope some of the answers in this thread were helpful to you. You can also click on the ones listed in the "Related discussions" box for additional information.

Please let us know how everything goes. And if you have a question, start a new thread of your own. (Questions tacked on to the end of someone else's thread can be easily overlooked, because people often assume it is just an additional answer to the other person's question.)

We'll be thinking of you tomorrow, and will be hooping for a benign path report.

Best wishes...

[qiqifufu]

Thank you so very much for the encouragement.  I will definitely let you know how everything goes tomorrow.  My husband will go to the hospital with me tomorrow, which will help me to keep strong.  

[qiqifufu]

I had the biopsy done this afternoon, and that was not bad at all.  The doctor and the nurses were really nice.  They turned the classic music on during the procedure, and one nurse sat next to me talking with me while the doctor was taking the sample.  The result will come out in a couple of days.  Hope that everything will be good.  

[bluebutterfly2222]

I'm pleased to hear your biopsy went smoothly!

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you...

bb

[ncmichigan]

Just adding my good wishes to all the others! I'm so glad the biopsy wasn't too bad and
I'm sending positive toughts for benign results, too, along with a big hug (    ),
nc

[qiqifufu]

Dear BB and NC,

I got a report from the Department of Pathophysiology today, the clustered microcalcifications I had on the right breast were bengin!!  I am sooooooooo happy!  Thank you very much for your support.  Have a wonderful weekend!

[bluebutterfly2222]

Thanks for sharing your good news!

You've made my day!

bb