mc5959

[mc5959]

Last year 12/09 I was diagnosed with dcis left breast when nodule was found on left breast.  It spread to two centinal nodes so I also had auxillary node disection done for some not all which were negative.  I had surgery, ACT chemo bone dense give every other week 8 rounds, 7 weeks of radiation and now its only been a little over 2 months since this ended.  I had a mamogram done recently which came back BIRAD4 because I have 3 microcalifications not clustered that were already in the area above the lumpectomy that are brighter now and somewhat irregular.  My doctor said that this isant suspicous since they were already there but felt I should get a steriotatic biopsy just to make sure.  I dont understand after my breast has been completly radiated and the fact I had all this chemo anything should be there I just finished a couple months ago.  The test itself is very expensive $3600.00 and I have no insurance right now.  So the doctor said to wait 3 months or get another mamogram in 6 months from now.  Should I have waited to get a mamogram in the first place?  Any response would greatly be appreciated.
Michele

[zouzi]

Hi again,
Since these calcification were already there and don't seem to be clustered(which is a good thing),I don't understand why you think these calcification that were already there, must be a sign that you have a recurrence.
If I were you I wouldn't jump to any conclusion right now,because you simply don't know.As I said before,a biopsy is important because you had cancer and your Doctor just wants to make sure and not because something is necessarily  wrong.
All I know is that your radiologist would NOT have told you that these calcification,(being "bright" or "slightly irregular") didn't look suspicious had he thought otherwise.
Surgery, radiation treatment and chemotherapy represents the best opportunity to eradicate triple negative or other types of breast cancer cells.
My prayers and thought are with you and I hope that the results of your upcoming biopsy will be favorable to you.
Take care....

[bluebutterfly2222]

As I indicated above, with aggressive types of BC, it is possible to have spread or recurrence even during tx with chemo and rads. (We all hope these treatments will wipe out all of the cancer, but there is no guarantee that they will work, or will be able to completely do the job.) TNBC is considered considered a very aggressive type of BC, and generally does not have  as good a prognosis as ER+/PR+ BC.

I hope the changes turn out to be benign ones in your case, but they really do need to be biopsied to be sure.

Best wishes...

[mc5959]

Thank you for getting back to my post, I had triple negative breast cancer.  These 3 califications that are spread out were already there before the surgery so they are not new or are they clustered which is suspious most of the time.  They are located above the surgery site and the change with them is that there brighter, slightly irregular but I just dont know how anything could of survived since the whole breast was radiated on top of chemo seems a little to short of time to have a problem now.  If you know of anything else to tell me, I appreciate it thanks again for the information.
Michele

[zouzi]

Hi,
Scar tissue,wear and tear can form calcifications when one has breast surgery,but like bluebutterfly said, I don't know if chemo or radiation could cause it.... So your situation is not really that rare. Calcifications can appear at the site and raise questions depending on their patterns, shapes, sizes and distribution that usually offer clues one way or the other.Even though your calcification don't seem to be suspicious, ( according to the radiologist) your radiologists is being vigilant and extra cautious because you had breast cancer in the past and he just wants to make sure by having a biopsy done which is really a very wise recommendation.
Keep in mind that most BI-RADS category 4 turn up to be benign in nature and I sincerely hope that your biopsy will reveal just that.
I too wish you all the best and good luck....

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi Michele,

Thanks for combining your threads.

I am sorry to hear you are having to deal with this additional worry after just recently completing your tx!

You did not state what type of BC you were dx with (ER/PR pos.. or neg., HER2 pos.or neg., or your tumor Grade).   Unfortunately, BC can spread or recur at any time, in rare case even while someone is still under tx, esp. if it is a very aggressive type of cancer.

No, it was not a mistake to have the mammogram--there would be nothing to gain, and possibly a lot to lose, by delaying it. There is no way to tell if the changes in the findings in this mammogram since the previous one are benign or not, except by a biopsy, which is always recommended for a  BI-RADS 4 mammogram. I do not know if the changes could be related ot radiation and/or chemo, but since they are now there, they need to be investigated.

Although this would be expensive, it is important for your safety and your peace of mind. You might be able to get financial help through the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the Social Service Dept. of the hosp. you would use, or your surgeon's office may have additional suggestions.

We certainly hope you will have benign results when you are able to get the needed test. Please keep us updated on how you are doing.

Best wishes...

[mc5959]

In addition, can radiation/and or chemo change microcalifications that are already present in breast tissue such as brightness, irregular features.

[mc5959]

In addition, can radiation/and or chemo change microcalifications that are already present in breast tissue such as brightness, irregular features.  Any answers would be appreciated.
Michele