breast calcifications

Would you have a stereotactic core biopsy done of a cluster of microcalcifications in one of my breasts.  I have had scattered group calcifications in my breast for years.  I am 61 years old.  Are there better tests for accuracy like ultrasound or thermography?  What are the chances of spreading around benign cancer cells and disturbing them and they becoming cancer later?

[zouzi]

Hi,
If my radiologist recommends a biopsy,I would certainly go ahead with it.
Microcalcifications are quite normal in breast tissue and they are not harmful when they are scattered.However,when they grow in a cluster, they become suspicious because they sometimes cluster around a mass that could be concerning.
It is proper in most cases to biopsy the area of clustered microcalcifications when the radiologist recommends it,because it's the only way to determine if cancer is present.
There is no such thing as benign "cancer cell". Cancerous cells are always malignant and benign cells would still be benign during a biopsy and won't change into cancer.
Many biopsies done on clustered calcification return a benign finding though, and I hope that your biopsy results will be favorable too.
By the way,microcalcifications, won't show up on ultrasound, MRI, or thermography,they only show up on mammography.
Best wishes and good luck...

[iam1butterfly]

...I've gone through the biopsy process twice (surgical and stereotactic/ needle) due to microcalcification cluster growths; and, I fully agree with zouzi's excellent response.

The only definitive way of knowing whether or not the microcalcifications are benign is via a pathology report from a biopsy. So, in answer to your question, and having faced the same circumstance as your own, yes... I would have the biopsy.

[ncmichigan]

Hi, Carol,
Add me to the list of women who say, "Definitely get the biopsy!" Zouzi and iam1butterfly are 100% right.  I had two areas of clustered microcalcifications and the radiologist only recommended biopsy of one area. I asked my surgeon to do both and LCIS was found in one. It doesn't require treatment, but it does make me very high risk for invasive cancer, so I get screened every six months. I've had three other biopsies for other reasons (thankfully, all benign) and I would NEVER decide not to have a biopsy if the radilogist recommended it.
There is no scientific evidence that biopsies can "disturb" benign cells and turn them into cancer or spread cancer cells that are already there. I HOPE you decide to have the biopsy and all goes well. I wish you benign results (about 80% of all biopsies come back with benign findings) and all the best,
nc

[carolgrace130]

Hi Zouzi
You sound so knowledgeable about my microcalcification condition.  Are you a doctor?  Or how did you receive so much knowledge?

[zouzi]

Hi carolgrace,
No,I am not a doctor,just a member who had BC.I read a lot about breast cancer issues, but mostly I learned from many wonderful women in this forum.
Again, wishing you all the best...