Please help me understand the pattern of my microcalcifications!!

Hi! I am almost 40 and have already lost my mother and sister to breast cancer, among others down the family line. I just had a mammogram that the radiologist showed me five microcalcifications that were in my right breast. The thing I can not find info. on is that these five (that we could see) small white dots appeared a little back from my nipple and looked like they were forming a near perfect circle around that area. They were not clustered together, but were not scattered. It was definately some kind of pattern, but I can not find any information on these calcifications that look like they are surrounding or encircling something. How concerned should I be and please be very frank, because I have lost my mother and sister to this both of them got it right around my age, too. I have fibrocystic breasts and have had that for several years, maybe always. I have had routine mammos for several years due to my family history and this is the first time these showed up. I want to be aggressive with this and need to know 100% it is not cancer. Does this pattern and kind of calcifications warrant a biopsy usually? I actually hope so. I also have had a light heart attack and heard this could be related to my heart. I have recently had an angiogram to check my heart and arteries and all looked fine though, just last year. PLEASE help me with any advice you can give me. If the radiologist just says to repeat a mammo in 6 months, can I request a biopsy? Ok, thanks to all of you for all your postings and thanks in advance for helping me. I am a single mom of 2 boys who I want to be around for. I know you can all relate. Thanks and God Bless. I will be anxiously awaiting your responses.


This discussion is related to microcalcification on mammo.

[japdip]

If you have concerns, and it's obvious to me that you do, I would suggest that you have your films read by another Radiologist; a type of second opinion on the "next step" if you will. If the second Radiologist agrees with the first then I would wait and have the re-check in 6 months or you might express your concerns due to your family history and request another film in 3 months. As far as the biopsy ..... you could see a Breast Specialist (Surgeon) and have him/her review your films for a possible biopsy. It could be that the area isn't really amenable to biopsy at this point. I certainly understand your desire to be aggressive but either 3 or even 6 months wouldn't make any difference in the end result IF this is an indication of something related to a malignancy.  Regards ....

[very_scary_stuff]

Thank you so much for your speedy comment. May I ask you to comment on why they are located in a circle, a little spread out and like they are surrounding something.It was weird looking, almost a perfect circle (about the size of a female palm) of 5 white dots. I hae read about linear, diffused and some other patterns, but mine didn't seem to fit anywhere. My niece in TX had only 2 microcalcifications and they did a speedy biopsy. I know I am anxious, and I apologize, I also have anxiety and depression and this is not helping either. lol. I REALLY appreciate your advice and you certainly sound as if you know what you are talking about. I will definately take your advice to my next doctor's appt.

[very_scary_stuff]

Sorry, forgot to add I also have been having green discharge from the same breast. Not sure if that is related. thxs.

[japdip]

I think I would be even less concerned since you state how large the "circle" of calcifications but PLEASE don't apolobize for being anxious about these findings. I also think even more that a biopsy would be of little value with such widespread findings; when calcifications are indicating a problem they are tightly grouped. You should keep in mind also that even grouped calcifications DO NOT necessarily indicate a malignancy. Regarding the nipple discharge .... can be an indication of a milk duct issue OR nothing at all. Breast discharge can be almost any color and consistancy and often just a normal occurence.  Regards .....