biopsy

[coach08]

my friend has a abnormal mammagram and is scheduled for a biopsy, i do not know if she has clustered calcifications or not, what is the % of benign biopsys if her calcifications are clustered?

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Mammogram results are categorized as BIRADS 0-6.  Any suspicious lesions, masses, calcifications in the mammogram require biopsy.  A definite diagnosis of malignancy is made through biopsy.
Good luck on your friend's biopsy.

[Sheilagr]

I am scheduled for a biopsy on 5/8 for a cluster calcification. Can you tell me why a biopsy is performed on certain cluster calcifications and not on others? I am very nervous. Does being on hormone replacement therapy for a long period of time have anything to do with having a higher chance of breast cancer?

Thank you

[japdip]

This post is quite old and Dennis, MD no longer is on the forum. In the future it would be best if you would post your question as a new post as we rarely read comments. Biopsy is recommended when a cluster of microcalcifications appears susupicious on the film. These calcifications occur scattered about in the breast tissue but when they are observed in certain patterns they do raise suspicion and require biopsy. Hormone replacement therapy has been proven to increase the risk of developing breast cancer by a considerable amout. It is rarely prescribed but if so in the lowest dose possible and for a very short time. Not all calcifications  return a diagnosis of cancer as they can be an indication of some abnormality that is benign in many instances. Good Luck on Friday with your biopsy.... think BENIGN !    Regards ....