What next???

Hi there,

I have just received results of a mammogram I had last week and have been referred to a breast specialist for further assessment.  I am beginning to panic as this is so outside my realm of experience, and I could really do with some idea of what to expect next.

I am 36 years old, and have always had lumpy, mastitis prone breasts.  My mammogram result reads;  

"Area of clustered micro calcification in the upper outer right breast.  On magnification this appears heterogenous.  No associated architectural distortion or mass.  The micro calcifications are indeterminate in appearance".

Any ideas!!??

Regards,

Nicole

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear Nicole:   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

[surgeon]

microcalcifications are extremely common in the breast, and have many causes. The VAST majority are ok. The appearance on xray gives clues, but not definate answers; some patterns are most certainly due to innocent causes, other patterns raise the possibility of cancer, and are usually referred to as "suspicious." Some patterns are in between, and are called "indeterminate." Statistically, 90% of indeterminate calcifications turn out to be from harmless causes. The ways to find out are either to watch carefully with repeat mammograms over time to look for changes, or to do some sort of guided biopsy (guided because they rarely can be felt, so methods are used to guide a needle of some sort into the area to get a sample with xray direction.)

[nicoledublin]

thanks for this information.  I have an appointment for a biopsy tomorrow.  Fingers X'd!!