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Why not biopsy fine, linear calcifications?
When I went in for my mammogram, I was told that my benign scattered calcifications that I had for the last 2 years were misread and are actually fine, linear calcifications, but because they were stable for 2 years they told me to come back in 6 months. They gave me a BI RADS 3. When I got my report, my breast density was reported as extremely dense. I have always had heterogeneously dense breasts. I have since done a lot of googling and cannot understand why they wouldn't biopsy. I have found out that DCIS can be stable for a while and that the morphology is more important than the stability over time. Why would they wait! I am so scared! Do they know what they are doing? Thoughts please?
You are welcome.
I don't know what else to tell you ..except that monitoring closely "probably benign" calcification is standard procedure and in my opinion it's not a waste of resources if we want to make sure that our breasts are healthy and stay healthy.
If you are terribly worried about these calcifications, please take my advice and seek a second opinion from a different radiologist who might recommend a biopsy (if necessary) so you can have peace of mind.
I don't know what else to tell you ..except that monitoring closely "probably benign" calcification is standard procedure and in my opinion it's not a waste of resources if we want to make sure that our breasts are healthy and stay healthy.
If you are terribly worried about these calcifications, please take my advice and seek a second opinion from a different radiologist who might recommend a biopsy (if necessary) so you can have peace of mind.
Thank you zouzi for the information. I don't understand if they are not worrisome, why watch them? It seems like a waste of resources. What benign condition is linear but detached calcifications?
I really cannot say why your Radiologist asked you to follow-up in 6 months since your calcifications have been stable for 2 years.
Linear calcification is not always indicative of malignancy. The suspicion is raised only when they are clustered and appear to form several branches. When they are linear but detached, such as probably yours are, it’s usually not worrisome but they have to be monitored regularly.
I wish I could give you more information about the things you are requesting here, but the only advice I can give you is to have your Mammogram films read by a different Radiologist for a second opinion and also to have your test report explained to you in details by your Doctor who is your best source of information.
I wish you well...
Linear calcification is not always indicative of malignancy. The suspicion is raised only when they are clustered and appear to form several branches. When they are linear but detached, such as probably yours are, it’s usually not worrisome but they have to be monitored regularly.
I wish I could give you more information about the things you are requesting here, but the only advice I can give you is to have your Mammogram films read by a different Radiologist for a second opinion and also to have your test report explained to you in details by your Doctor who is your best source of information.
I wish you well...
If the calcifications can change unexpectedly, then is the risk still less than 2%? If they haven't changed in 2 years, what is the risk they will change in 2 1/2 years, 3 years, ect...?
My calcifications have already been stable for over 2 years. Can you show me any resource that says if a radiologist sees fine, linear calcifications to "wait and see" for six months? If they want them stable for a year, I have been stable for more than 2 years. I have not seen 1 resource where it is recommended that fine, linear calcifications be put in the BI RADS 3 or 2 categories. My mammograms have all been the same, the only difference is that the radiologists have misread them. Thank you
Hi again,
You have been asked to have these calcification monitored every 6 month simply because when the radiologist assigns calcifications to a "probably benign" category, the risk of malignancy even if very low ( less than 2%) can change unexpectedly. Typically these calcifications will be monitored every six months for at least one year. Assuming that no new changes are found, your doctor will recommend you have a routine mammogram once a year. I hope that you’ll follow your doctor’s recommendation to make sure there is no change in the size, shape or number of calcifications.
Take care..
You have been asked to have these calcification monitored every 6 month simply because when the radiologist assigns calcifications to a "probably benign" category, the risk of malignancy even if very low ( less than 2%) can change unexpectedly. Typically these calcifications will be monitored every six months for at least one year. Assuming that no new changes are found, your doctor will recommend you have a routine mammogram once a year. I hope that you’ll follow your doctor’s recommendation to make sure there is no change in the size, shape or number of calcifications.
Take care..
Thank you for your answer. I don't understand why I have to have a mammogram in 6 months. Why can't I just get one in 1 year? I don't think BI RADS 3 is very useful to have to spend the extra money to watch something that is benign. When will I ever go back to once a year mammograms?
Hi.
Experienced Radiologists are quite able to identify typically benign breast calcifications depending on their form and pattern. If no suspicion is detected a biopsy is not required to prevent unnecessary procedures.
BIRADS Category 3, means that the findings have a very high probability of being benign, therefore recommending a short-interval follow-up. I wouldn't worry so much if I were you, because what your radiologist has recommended is standard procedure. If these calcification were suspicious in any way, I am sure a biopsy would have certainly been ordered.
But of course this is up to you to decide….if you still feel uncomfortable waiting six months for a follow up, you could always have your films read by another Radiologist for a second opinion, or ask your Doctor to order a biopsy.
Best wishes...
Experienced Radiologists are quite able to identify typically benign breast calcifications depending on their form and pattern. If no suspicion is detected a biopsy is not required to prevent unnecessary procedures.
BIRADS Category 3, means that the findings have a very high probability of being benign, therefore recommending a short-interval follow-up. I wouldn't worry so much if I were you, because what your radiologist has recommended is standard procedure. If these calcification were suspicious in any way, I am sure a biopsy would have certainly been ordered.
But of course this is up to you to decide….if you still feel uncomfortable waiting six months for a follow up, you could always have your films read by another Radiologist for a second opinion, or ask your Doctor to order a biopsy.
Best wishes...
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