Microcalcifications

Hi,

I have micrcalcifications that are felt to be new and are clustered.  I have had repeat mamo's in the
last few weeks, an ultra sound and an mri.  I have an appointment with a breast specialist on the 11th of Feb.  Since I have had so many test do you typically still have to have a biopsy?  I have
had uterine cancer and take supplemental hormornes.  A sister with breast cancer on my dad's side,
and my mother's sister also with breast cancer.  All radiologist from all three test suggest follow
up in 6 months, should I still be worried?  Thanks for any feedback.

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,
The diagnosis of breast cancer would still require the biopsy, there is yet no imaging tool that can replace it. Beyond saying if it is cancer or not - the material in the biopsy can also be tested for susceptibility to certain treatment options - so the decision to biopsy is not limited to settling the issue whether it is cancer or not.

Since the radiologists have not advised to get the biopsy - the area in question does not seem suspicious enough. It is normal to get additional studies, it is the way things have been done before - and the procedure saves lives.

Family histories should be separated (count only paternal and maternal relatives with disease) and do not have an additive impact on the risk of malignancy. I'm not sure if this family history was part of the reason the MRI was requested - the MRI is not offered to everyone. It may also be possible that your breasts are dense and hence more imaging studies were recommended.

Perhaps it would be best to estimate your personal risk for breast cancer - the best person would be the breast specialist. I am a bit concerned with the hormones you mentioned, would you know exactly what they are? are you sure you have uterine not ovarian cancer? have you had surgery for the uterine cancer?

[ValE4808]

Thank you so much for responding to my post.  In 2001 my doctor found
a tumor in my uterus that when biopsied was malignant.  I was 34 at the time and had a complete historectomy.  No other treatment was necessary.  I take 1 mg of estradiol everyday.  According to all the reports I do have extremley dense breast.  I assume that was why they had me do the mri.  The breast are so dense that it has been hard for the radiologist to see everything.  A lesion showed on the mamogram (mammogram) and the microcalcifications, but wanted more test because of the density.  The mri report said "it should be noted that in breast this dense it would be hard to find a lesion" and the area of concern other than the micrcalcifications is just behind the nipple and should followup in 6 months with repeat mamo and ultrasound unless clinically a physician requested a biopsy then they wanted a follow up report.    

[twinz529]

I have very dense breast also.I had 2 areas on my mammo.They were clustered.One was behind the nipple & the other one was near my chest wall..When I went for the 2nd mammo(spot magnification) the radiologist gave me a birad rating of 4 & recommended a biopsy..My general physician referred me to a breast surgeon right away.I went to her & she recommended a stereotactic biopsy.I did it & they removed all the microcalcifications...My micros were clutsered in a way that caused them to look suspicious...Were yours spread out?Clustered?What did the doc say who ordered your mammos & mri? Wishing you well...

[ValE4808]

I don't think I got a birad rating.  I have heard them discussed in this forum, so maybe you could fill me in on what exactly they mean.  My obgyn referred me to a breast specialist.  Nervously waiting to see what he will say.  From 2 previous mamo's in 2005 and 2003 my micros have increased and are clustered.   I don't even have a report from any of my test.  I only know this much because of my obgyn.  I went for my yearly mamo and they called me back because of the micro's.  Do you know if they always remove microcalcifications?  At this point I don't even know if they are planning a biopsy until I see the breast dr.

[twinz529]

Hi, the Birad Rating goes from 0 to 5...Up to 3 is considered Begnin.And basically you would just have to go for mammos every 6mts or yearly...A 4 I believe is supicious enough to warrant a biopsy .....The breast specialist will go over everything w/ you..She will probably do a breast exam...I don't know about you but I couldn't feel anything abnormal..It just showed up on the mammo.They compared it to a previous mammo from 2003 which was my last mammo.I had 2 areas  which from what I understand they are clustered in the shape of a star.....Now as far as the report I requested a copy from the hospital who did my mammo.The report is your you have every right to ask for it.When I went to the breast specialist she told me the best way to approach a cluster of micros is by stereotactic biopsy.I believe this is the case because there is no tumor or cyst to biopsy w/ a needle. The stereotactic is attached to a vaccum that sucks out little sections.My specialist got both clusters & they were begnin.From what I read a majority of micros are begnin....They did a mammo after the biopsy & I could see the area was clear....Now the breast specialist will also sample around the area just to make sure nothing is hiding out...I can say now after going thru the steps of mammo,specialist biopsy that I was my own worst enemy..But everybody deals w/ things differently...Be sure to make a list of questions and ask away,this is your body & you are entitled to know whats going on..Ask why the micros are there,how much change has occurred from this mammo from the last..What is the next step?How many areas involved? I have surgery tomorrow a.m. but I will be thinking of you & wishing you luck....Take care

[ValE4808]

Hi,

Thank you for helping me with my already unsettledness that I have been feeling.  You have helped me more than you will ever know.  Now I know things to ask that I wasn't even aware of before.  I have been so nervous that it's hard to focus on the why's and hows, you know?  

I cannot feel anything either.  I really have been afraid to feel much because everytime I would think about it, I would get nauseated!  And trust me I am my own worst enemy too.  Because I have had cancer before you can understand why I am so uneasy about this.  Plus as I said in my earlier post, I take supplemental hormornes that I know increases your risk of breast cancer.  Did they ever tell you what causes the microcalcifications?  Is it your breast your having surgery on  tomorrow?  I will be thinking of you also, hope things go well for you.  Take care too!  Let me know how you are if you feel up to it.

[twinz529]

Hi, I'm glad my posts helped..Yes I did have surgery on my breast yesterday..It was a hook wire excisional biopsy...I got there at 7:30am & left about 1;30pm. After the stereo they left 2 markers in me...Yesterday I had 2 wires inserted that aimed right at the markers so the doc could go in & remove the markers plus a margin of the surrounding tissue...She sent it off to the lab..I go to see her on tues..She will remove the stiches & Hopefully give me good news on my test results...I had alot of pain & burning yesterday at the site but I also had a hematoma before so I'm sure that didn't help..But today I'm feeling much better...I really hope this is it...I have had so many people touch my breasts lately that I kid w/ my hubby that they see my breasts more than him...Oh well sometimes I just get tired of being a woman...I gotta be honest I just wanna be left alone....My family tries to help but they keep saying everything will be fine but they are not me & they are not going thru this...Ok I'm gonna pop some meds & take a nap while my mom watches my baby...I don't know when your gonna see the breast specialist but keep me updated...Good luck ...Know I am wishing you well...

[ValE4808]

I am so glad to hear back from you.  I will be saying a prayer for you till you get your results on Tuesday.  Please keep me informed and let me know how it goes.  I go to the Dr. on the 11th.  One week from Monday, and trust me I am counting the days to see what he says and what he will do.  This has been a nerve racking last few weeks.

Its such a blessing to hear from someone who is going through similar things.  My family is the same as yours.  They like to make me think everything is ok too, that it will be fine, but they really have no idea how I feel.  Between work, kids, and this waiting, it is driving me crazy.  It's all the "what if's"  that get me everytime.  Anyway, hope you feel better soon, don't forget to keep me informed.  Take care, and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Val

[skinnyminney]

Val, hang in there, they process of waiting and waiting is a hard long road, I have been waiting just shy of two months for my biopsy, and I go on Wednesday.  I am so thankful for this website as it has been a comfort to me that I am not alone in this brutal matter.  I think that only people who are experiencing the same feelings as you truly understands the anxiety that we are all going thru.  I do not understand the long process, it is so hard mentally on us.  I am so worried that I have more calcifications (I have implants) that they cannot detect on the mammogram and that I should consider removing them.  I just don't know what to do.  I have been warned they there is a possibility that they will pop them anyways and then I will have to spend the high dollars to get them removed anyways.  I am sorry, I just need to get some of my worries out on paper, and talking to people who always just want to say, "you are going to be fine" is frustrating.  Is there anyone out there who is going thru this process and has implants as well?  I have heard that people who have been diagnosed and have had to have reconstructive surgery have implants sometimes and how to they keep tract of the cancer coming back, the mammogram cannot see behind them.  Twinz529 I am praying for you and that you get good results on Tuesday.  You are in my thoughts.

[ValE4808]

Skinny,
Thanks alot for your post.  It is hard on us mentally, and if you are not going through it people just do not understand.  It is such a blessing to have other women that are going through the "anxiety" of all this and know they understand.  I do not know why the process has to be so long either, but hopefully good news will come from this waiting period we have to experience.  I do not know about the implants, I hope for your sake others will post with you who have them and can give you a little more insight.  I wish I could be of help and comfort to you but I honestly just don't know.  My brother was killed this past Friday in a terrible car accident so the next few days (Monday & Tuesday) is going to be a little difficult with everything else already on my mind.  But please keep me informed of what your outcome is when you go on Wednesday, I will be praying for you and hope only the best will come from your resutls......Take Care.   Val    

[twinz529]

Hi, Sorry to hear about your brother....I hope everything goes ok weds.....I went to the Doc today & I am all clear...I have to take it easy & rest..My incision is pretty big & will take up to 2 months to totally heal...I have to go back to the Doc in 3 moths to check the incision & to keep a close eye on me......I hope you let me know how you are doing W/ everything....I will be thinking of you......

[skinnyminney]

I finally am through the biopsy, it was harder than I expected, I guess the implants really do make a difference;  it was difficult in mammography in getting enough flesh to put in the machine, after about 10 attempts they finally got it, put the wire in and then of course we have to go do another round to make sure the wire was in the right place, finally, after two nurse and one doctor all grabbing for some skin, we finally were successful, they put a cup over my wire and wheeled me to OR, I had to undergo general and here I thought it would be  local.  It was nice though I did not feel a thing after that.  No anti-anxiety drugs or anything like that.  They gave me a prescription for pain meds, but I feel pretty good today.  I am hoping that I will have the results no later than tuesday of next week.  I was so out of it, I don't know if I have to go back to the surgeon or if they are just going to call me.  I don't remember anything.  I am so glad that this part is over and that this site is available for us women.  Thank you so much for being there for me and your support.   Twinz, how big is your incision?  it looks like mine is one half of my nipple, I thought she was going to make a tiny cut, big surprise for me.  Val I am so sorry about your brother, it seems like a horrible time, I guess there is no good time for that, I pray that you heal fast.  My thoughts are with you both and I will keep you advised.  Thanks again for being there.

[ValE4808]

Hi girls,

I am anxious to know how you are both doing.  I have been thinking about you both latley and praying for you guys.  Finally I am feeling some better after the tragic loss of my brother, boy that was hard and still is, but I know in time it will get better.  I went to the breast surgeon today, and I go back the 25th for the stereotactic biopsy.  He said I had a pretty nasty lesion in the upper part of my right breast.  I have very dense breast and so he is hoping that when they go to do the biopsy they can find it.  He said with breast this dense it is like looking for a polar bear in a snow storm.  If for some reason they can't go through with the biopsy he said I will be watched closley and have everything repeated in July.  I just pray they can find the lesion and biopsy it so I will know one way or the other.  The waiting is driving me crazy.  Hope you both are well, take care and let me know how things are.  Wishing you both well.....  Val  

[twinz529]

Hi, Good to hear from you...I got good news ...Doc told me they got it all & I am all clear..My incision is healing great...I go back in 3 months...I wish you the best on the 25th...The Doc didn't get my area on the 1st attempt w/ the stereotactic..If you have any questions on the stereotactic biopsy ask away I did it twice...Again I'm so sorry for the loss of your brother...The wait is torture I know....Wishing you well

[skinnyminney]

I once again put forth my prayers for you regarding the loss of your sibling.  Death is a very difficult ordeal which never really goes away.  I have lost both my parents and I still think of them everyday, but most of the time good thoughts and memories and wishing I was a better daughter.  I am still waiting to hear the results of my biopsy, I thought I would hear some news today,but nothing came in.  I don't know how long I have to wait for the stitches to come out.  But I will call tomorrow and schedule an appt for their removal.  I am praying everyday for good news.  Twinz, I am so happy that you got good news, and Val I am sure that they will get it all out for you, at times like these all we really have are hope, prayers and friends like the two of you.  God bless you and thank you for being there for me.  I will let you know as soon as I get the word.  Think postively and watch "The Secret"  it is a great motivator.  Plus I am teaching myself how to crochet, another thing my mother tried to teach me but I was too immature to listen.

[twinz529]

Thank you...How are you making out W/ the stitches?? My stitches were all tied into one area...it was wierd, they were clear...All the doc had to remove was an anchor she called it..I was cut almost completely around my aerola but I have to say it is healing really nice & I think in time I won't be able to tell where I was cut....I hope you get your results tomorrow....I know how it is I feel for you...I'll say a prayer before I hit the sheets ..Take care I will be wishing you the best..

[skinnyminney]

My incision seems to be healing really well.  I can see the ends of the stitches and have had no additional pain after the first day until I went grocery shopping and picked up some bags that I guess were too heavy for that and that hurt a bit, but it's over now.  How long should I wait to contact the surgeon to get them removed?  My outtake sheet says call in one week and tomorrow is one week.  I am not sure how long it will take to get in so I am a little upset that they don't say call the next day and then schedule it for a week after.  But I guess I'm the idiot and should have asked even though I was somewhat tramatized from the surgery itself.  After waking up in recovery, they gave me some strong pain killers and then two pain pills, so if my husband would not have been there, I would not know anything.  I still have not heard yet today. I read someone else's post where she was told she would know in a day or two and he gave her his cell phone number, now she has a good doctor.  You cut sounds like mine, anymore and I would be missing a nipple.  I'll let you know as soon as I hear.  Thanks for being there for me.  God Bless you.

[twinz529]

Hi, I'm glad your healing well...Listen The day I had the surgery ,I went home & my husband called the office to schedule an appointment for the following week...I had my surgery Jan 31 & I had the stitches out Feb 5th....Don't wait..I think you need to get them out...Today is 2 weeks since I got my stitches out & it looks great.....I think your sheet was written out wrong it probably should have read "Schedule an appointment in one week"" OK good luck & I'll talk to you soon...

[skinnyminney]

I just received a call from the surgeon and she said it was benign but she wanted to talk to me, what else could that be.  I am so happy to hear the news, I just want to scream with happiness.  I hope that she does not hit me with some other bad news, can't imagine what it would or could be.  Any ideas.

[twinz529]

Heh,okay now you sound just like me....Even though the Doc got all my Atypical cells she told me had I been older she would want me to see an oncologist to discuss hormone treatment...But I am 37 & the drugs could put me in menapause & the side effects could give me more grief than help if that makes any sense...So I will see her   in 3 months so she can keep an eye on me & don't forget she'll want to checkout her handy work and see how you are healing...I walked out of her office saying to myself am I really okay, but I can't help but feel like I will always be wondering  if  it's  back...I guess it's just a feeling thats gonna be a little hard to beat since I have been thru all this...I have to be honest I did'nt think I could get this so young....I guess at any age it sucks...but I look at my 3 daughters & I pray they never have to go thru this....NOW as far as your news BENIGN !!!! YAHOO,CONGRATS, Yes scream,dance, that is great ..good for you...I love to hear that word......

[ValE4808]

Good news for you skinny!!  I am so glad for you as I have been praying for both you and twinz.  Keep in prayer for me to as I hope to hear those same words.  Let us know what you find out when you talk to her.  Take care girls, and congratulations skinny!  Val

[twinz529]

Hey, How are you??? You are in my thoughts.....

[ValE4808]

Hey,

I'm doing ok.  Just mostly waiting now to have this stereotactic biopsy.  I go next Monday, the 25th and find out my results on the 28th.  I'm not sure what to expect from this biopsy.  They say it doesn't hurt, I guess I'm just nervous and the waiting is driving me crazy.  How have you been, and are you all healed?  I have been praying for my new found friends on this forum.  It has been so great getting to talk to people who go through the same things as you and who truly understand.  You have been a great suport for me, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Take care and hope to hear from you soon.   Val