MicroCalcifications in Left Breast

[sweetyt12]

What percent of microcalcification in breast are cancer?  My mammogram states irregularity with an occasional branching of micro calcifications.  The surgeon said they were running along the ducts and branching out, no mass found in the area.  What are my chances of this being DCIS?  Biopsy next week.  Should I have biopsy results back within 4 days?

[sweetyt12]

It was somewhat helpful.  I guess I just wanted a percntage as to what is breast cancer for this, like you have a 10-15% chance that it is cancer.  

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear sweetyt12, Microcalcifications are actually 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.  It is impossible to speculate on a percentage of findings of microcalcifications ultimately being associated with cancer or pre-cancer.  The pattern and how suspicious it might look determines whether or not further evaluation such as a biopsy should be done.  

Different facilities may have differences in process times for reading pathology usually they are available within a week, we cannot speak to the specifics of the processes at the facility where you had the biopsy.  Check with your doctor as to when the results would be available.