Clustered Microcalcification

[mel43]

I'm very new at this, on July 26th I had a mammogram & was called back for a magnified mommogram. I have been called and told I need to see the surgeon on Aug. 8th to schedule a biopsy. My report read, Clustered Microcalcification of the left breast at 1:00 outer BIRAD-4. So I'm in panic mode, I live in a very Rural area, I'm 43 this is my second mammogram. I'm scared to death, not sure what to expect or what the statistics are. I have had no symtoms until I had the magnified test now my breast is sore and has a burning sensation. Is this normal??
I have very small breast, what should I expect in the up coming weeks. I need help, I'm still trying to understand all of this. Now every ache & pain I feel through out my body I panic. There is no history of breast cancer in my family. There isn't really anyone to talk to here, and the doctors office people don't seem to be the compassionate type of people. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear mel43:  Microcalcifications are small calcium deposits found within the breast tissue. There are different types of microcalcifications, and 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 a benign (non-cancerous) cause, a "cluster" of microcalcifications may increase concern that there may be an underlying tumor.   A BIRAD 4 category means that there is a suspicious abnormality. Most category 4 abnormalities are benign but may require biopsy since this category can be malignant in 25-50% of cases.  Many women have sore breasts after a mammogram.  The discomfort you are having does is not an indication whether this is a benign or malignant abnormality.

[mel43]

Under Forty Pam: I was not given a choice of a sugeon, the doctors office arranged that before calling me. I have been trying to find a breast specialist but have had no luck with that. I know I would feel more comfortable with one, there isn't any that I know of.

[Montana girl 06]

Is the appointment with the surgeon for the actual biopsy, or to discuss the biopsy? As with any type of surgery, it is your option to get a second opinion. I always met with a surgeon before I had a biopsy. Sometimes the surgeon sent me to a radiologist for the actual biopsy. Questions I would ask are, description of the proceedure, how to prepare for it (sometimes you need to stop taking certain vitamins or meds), what to expect afterwards, if you need to limit activity for 1 day or how long, how much tissue they will remove, how long the proceedure will last, how accurate the results of this type of biopsy are, why he recommends this type of biopsy and not another, if you have other options, how many times or how often the surgeon does this type of biopsy. If you're at all uncomfortable, get a second opinion. It's also ok to ask if the surgeon views the biopsy as probably cancer or more likely benign. The surgeon is not God and cannot give a firm answer but can say if most of this type of biopsy turns out benign or not. As a side note on my previous entry on what biopsies are like, the day after some biopsies you do need to ice the area. Some people have trouble with bleeding, but I never did. They usually have you take Tylenol or something similar for pain. I was sore the day of surgery, but Tylenol really helped. I did follow the nurses instructions completely. And, with all 3 biopsies I could do almost all activities the following day except jog and lift heavy items. It took a week before I was totally comfortable jogging but I could walk as much as I wanted.

[Montana girl 06]

My sister-in-law used to be a Radiology Tech doing mammograms and said you can request to speak to the radiologist about your mammograms but I have never requested that. However, last winter I had to wait while the radiologist viewed my mammmos and Ultrasound so I could carry them to my surgeon in another town since that apppointment was for later that same day. That time the radiologist asked if I'd like to review the films and of course I said yes. He grilled me on my family's cancer history (after the tech person had grilled me on it earlier), pointed out the significant increase in calcifications in only 7 months and shook his head and said it was very worrisome. I was so upset by the time I left I had to sit in my car and cry before I could drive home. I was sure I had cancer. (And this was my 3rd biopsy, so you'd think I'd handle it better than that.) I was so thankful I met with the surgeon later that day because he totally calmed me down. And my biopsy a few weeks later turned out benign. I hope your surgeon has a good bed-side manner and can put you at ease.

[Under Forty Pam]

You might try calling this place and see if they have some suggestions for your area.

[Under Forty Pam]

You always have a choice, it is your body.  Try calling a few local hospitals in your area and ask for a referral for a breast surgeon specialist, they should know of some.  What part of Missouri are you in, perhaps a university hospital might have a choice too.