briad 4c rating for microcalcifications

My mammogram found  clustered coarse heterogeneous and fine plemoric calcifications in the upper outer quadrant of my right breast 8cm from my nipple. There was also a second cluster of fine, linear, branching calcifications in the upper quadrant of my right breast 7 cm from my nipple. My ultrasound showed a simple cyst on the upper outer quadrant of my right breast, but thank God no mass was found. I am going for a biopsy on Friday. My briad rating is a 4c. Has anyone had this and their biopsy was benign? I am scared to death because from what I have read on the net a 4c rating means a 65-94% malignancy. I am also very scared of the fine, linear branching calcification, because from what I have read on the net these are usually malignant. Any support I can get would be appreciated.

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi,

I understand your concern. Going through a biosy and waiting for such important and potentially life-altering news is difficult to say the least!

As you obviously know, a BIRADS 4 is more suspicious than a BIRADS 3, and less suspicious than a BIRADS 5. However, statistics don't mean a lot when it comes to a specific case.  Some people in all of those categories have received benign results, and others in all of those categories have received unfavorable results.

Your  pathology report ALONE will determine whether your biopsy results are benign or malignant, regardless of what statistical odds, based on large populations, might be listed somewhere...

We wish you all the best, and hope you will update us on how things turn out for you, by adding additional comments to this same thread.

Regards,
bluebutterfly

[katehudson25]

Hi,

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement.

[katehudson25]

Hi, I just noticed that I mispelled Birads. My mammogram results just came back Wedneday, so I am new to all of this. I would love to hear from someone who had a 4c or 5 Birads rating and a benign biopsy.

[katehudson25]

I am so frightened. I would so appreciate hearing from someone who had a 4c birad rating and a b9 biopsy report.

[zouzi]

Hi,
I am so sorry that you are feeling so stressed about your situation...Although I have no personal experience regarding calcifications,however I can assure you that many BI-RADS category 4 have returned a benign finding.Some even with a BI-RADS 5.It really all depends on how experienced radiologists are in seeing the images on the xrays.
If (God forbid) things don't turn up the way we hope,remember that whatever is found,it would be at a very early stage and very curable.
Please don't be afraid or worry so much before you have to...Hang in there and lets hope that things will turn up just fine.
Wishing you all the best and good LUCK!!

[katehudson25]

Hi,

It was very nice of you to give me support. Thank you so much for your kind words.

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi again,

If it helps, here is a link to a thread by one of members who recently had to have a biopsy for a BI-RADS 5, and got a benign result:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Breast-Cancer/BIRAD-5-left-breast-and-blood-test/show/1451068

Keeping you in my thoughts,
bluebutterfly

[katehudson25]

Hi,

Thank you so much. It is good to know that there is hope for Birad 4c and 5.

[ncmichigan]

Hi, Kate,
I just wanted to add my good wishes to bb222 and zouzi's. I truly understand how stressful this must be for you ( I've had 3 biopsies of five different areas in the last six years including for microcalcification as well as masses) but please try to stay positive until the results are confirmed. The wait for the results is the worst, but then you'll  have peace of mind knowing "what is" rather than worrying about "what ifs". Just because the radiologist thinks it may be cancer doesn't mean it is and it could very well be a benign condition that's causing the microcalcifications.There are stories here from women who are told "it's most likely cancer" who end up with benign results, even though it's also good  to be prepared for the worst. Even if the results are positive, it would be caught very early and highly treatable as bb said.
We'll be thinking of you and wishing you all the best. Please let us know how you're doing if you wish. There are supportive, informative and wonderful women here to help anyone who wants or needs it and for that we are all grateful.
Sending you a big hug (       ) and hoping it helps even just a little,
nc

[katehudson25]

Hi,

Such a sweet and supportive message. Thank you so much. I had my biopsy today, and it was less painful than I thought it would be. The radiologist said that there is high probability of malignancy, but he also said that could be wrong. I find out the results on Tuesday. You are right the wait is highly stressful. Thank you so much for your support.

[katehudson25]

Hi,

I forgot to tell you that your hug helped a lot. Thank you!

[zouzi]

Well....I am also sending you a BIG hug,if it makes you feel better (                   ) how is that huh? LOL
Waiting with you and hoping for the best! :)

[ncmichigan]

Hi, Kate,
Zouzi and I like to send hugs---they can help even across the Internet! Seriously, we think it
helps just to know someone else cares.
I'm so glad the biopsy went smoothly---they're rarely as bad as we anticipate them to be. Hopefully, you'll have a qick and easy recovery, too. I REALLY hope the radiologist is wrong, and until the path report is in, there's a chance he could be. We'll just continue to hope for the best and we'll be here for you whatever the results.
Hugs,(big and little!!!)
nc

[marybai]

Hi Kate,

I am right there with you, as I too just received the results of my digital diagnostic mammogram with ' powdery pleomorphic microcalcifications' in one breast, that was also labeled BI-RADS Category 4. My stereotactic biopsy is on monday AM. I also work in the medical profession and see everyday how these cancer diagnoses and other life threatening diseases changes the directions of people's lives. Sometimes it means this is the 1st day of the last phase of their life, and now it may also be mine. It is also difficult for me, because we are taught always to give people hope and be positive. The radiologist had a very positive attitude as he reviewed the films with me, but the report read 'highly suspicious'. I guess I should have known better. None of these wonderful people here in this forum  can change the diagnosis or ultimate outcome, but all of the love and compassion will sustain you.

[katehudson25]

It definitely does help to know that somebody cares. Thanks again for the hugs.

[katehudson25]

Hi,

I hope your biopsy goes smoothly and the result is b9. It is a very good sign that the radiologist had a positive attitude when he reviewed your films. I have positive thoughts for you too, and I send hugs.

[katehudson25]

For all those who have waited for pathology reports. Did it feel like you were in a pressure cooker? It is very stressful, so thanks again for the hugs that you all have sent me.

[ncmichigan]

I hope you'll read (or re-read ) my post to Kate on June 1 and take it to heart. I'm a retired nurse so I understand how our medical knowledge "can be a dangerous thing". It's WAY too early to be thinking about "the first day of the last phase of your life"---it could very well only be ANOTHER phase in the many phases of your life. The "highly suspicious" mammo could very well be something benign. Even if it isn't, you know that treatment for breast cancer has come so far and the odds that it's very treatable are high. Try to hang in there and stay positive---I've found that attitude has a lot to do with how we respond to a multitude of issues, medical and otherwise. I've been there, along with all the women here, so we understand your fears, but don't let them make you give up hope. Please take one step at a time. Our thoughts and best wishes are with you.
Hugs,
nc

PS: Yes, Kate, the wait is the worst! Try to keep busy, distract yourself with things you like to do, talk with supportive family and friends, pamper yourself a little and take one step at a time.This can make the time a little less stressful, but nothing will make it easy.  We'll still be thinking of you and wishing you all the best! Sending you one more hug  (      )!
nc

[katehudson25]

Hi,

Good advice. Thank you so much. You are a sweetheart.

[marybai]

Hi Kate,

I had my stereotactic biopsy biopsy this AM. The breast surgeon said that sometimes she is almost sure when a lesion is malignant or benign, but not with the grey zone ones, and mine is in the grey zone. She appeared to be honest, but as I have mentioned, people in medicine have a great way of sugar coating everything. The oncologists are the worst!!
Now as you are experiencing Kate, the pressure cooker is on. And again I am there with you, and thinking about you, and praying for both of us.
I did a huge mistake that if anyone is out there and reading this....take the day off....
I went to work, rushed to the hospital and then went back to work and tried to act like nothing was happening. It is better to assimilate and reach out for help as you are doing.
One thing nice about my experience, there was very little pain and they had a nurse there the whole time holding my hand and stroking my hair, it got me through the worst of it.
Much much love and hugs too!!
Mary

[marybai]

Hi nc,

Thank you for the wonderful advise. After sleeping overnight with your comment, I woke up with a new attitude. Now my new thought is 'I am not going to be labeled the 'sick one' or 'shes' the one with the breast cancer'. How does one reach out without feeling like the victim.Believe me, I see my fair share of professional patients. Thanks again for the eye opening advise.
mary

[katehudson25]

Hi Marybai,

I am praying for both of us and sending hugs!

[katehudson25]

Hi Mary,

Reaching out to ask for help or support is a strength not a weakness, so nobody will view you as a victim. I am reaching out for support again. So sorry ladies. It is now 76 hours since my biopsy ended, but no answer yet. Since I had the biopsy on Friday the radiologist told me I probably wouldn't hear anything till Tuesday. Trying to remain 100% positive about good results is very hard. Every time my mind wonders to a bad thought, I just baby myself and say it will be ok. Thank you listening to me vent.

[marybai]

I will be thinking of you all day... you are a very brave person, you will be ok,no matter what.Thanks so much for your help.
Mary

[ncmichigan]

Hi Kate and Mary,
Just want to say "hang in there" and "try to stay positive" to both of you! I know the wait is hard but I'm sincerely hoping for the best for you. I had a BIRAD 4 mammo and the result was LCIS. Not the best result,  but certainly not the worst either. It just means more vigilant testing every six months with mammo, MRI & clinical exam. The MRI is really tough on me (nausea, claustrophobia and terrible shoulder pain) but I'll take that over chemo or radiation any day! Because I'm very high risk for invasive BC, the wait for the results is always hard. I just take my own advice that I give to everyone else and stay positive!
Please let us know how you're doing because we do care!
Big hugs to both of you (       ) (       ),
nc

[katehudson25]

Thank you both so much for your concern. I just want to update you and let you know that I still don't know the results of my biopsy. I spoke to my doctor this morning, and he said he would call me as soon as he had them. I am hoping to find out tomorrow.

[marybai]

Thinking of you every moment and sweet devine love every moment.
Mary

[katehudson25]

My doctor just called me. My pathology reports says approaching, and the optimal word here is APPROACHING, the lowest grade of dcis. It also says atypical ductal hyperplasia. I asked my doctor if this is benign or malignant and he said it is inbetween. I asked him if I need a lumpectomy or mastectomy and he said he does not know. He referred me to an oncologist. It is fairly good news, because I don't have invasive breast cancer. Of course, I am still concerned because I am worried about a lumpectomy or mastectomy. Has anyone else heard of a pathology report that says approaching low grade dcis? Thank you all for all of your prayers. They worked because the findings are not too bad.  

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi again,

Glad to hear your results were pretty good, with just a precancerous finding!

For those who would like to learn more about this, japdip provided an answer  in a
new thread just begun by Kate:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Breast-Cancer/Pathology-report-approaching-dcis/show/1535268

Best wishes,
bluebutterfly

[katehudson25]

Hi,

I don't know if japdip findings are true. She said with atypical ductal hyperplasia you need a lumpectomy and radiation. From what I have read on the net today I found that I will need an excisional biopsy and depending on the results of those findings I might not require a lumpectomy or radiation. Has anyone had a diagnosis of atypical ductal hyperplasia and not required a lumpectomy or hyperplasia?

[bluebutterfly2222]

An excision biopsy and a lumpectomy can end up being pretty much the same thing, the main difference being that with a lumpectomy, you already know what you are dealing with.

The important thimg is to get clean margins around the atypical/abnormal cells.
In some cases, radiation and hormone therapy are advised, while in others, just more frequent follow-up is recommended. There is considerable variation in what is believed to be the best tx for ADH.

I think you are going a bit overboard, however, in  questioning whether "japdip's findings are true." If you reread her answer carefully, you will note that she said the surgery to obtain clean margins is "SOMETIMES followed by radiation and possibly hormone therapy. I'm sure the Oncologist will clear things up for you and advise you the best course of action IN YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION."(emphasis mine)

As I indicated above, there does not yet seem to be a consensus among oncologists regarding what is cautious management and what is overtreatment.

Please keep us posted about what is recommended FOR YOU, and how things go for you.

Best wishes,
bb

[katehudson25]

Hi,

I should have said her findings in MY case may not be true. I did not mean any disrespect of her knowledge. I have an appointment with a surgical oncologist tomorrow to find out the best course of action in my case. I am in the process of finding a second surgical oncologist so I can get a second opinion. So after I see these two doctors I will decide what is the best treatment in my situation.

[ncmichigan]

Hi, Kate,
I read and replied to your other thread before I read this one. I said a second opinion is certainly an option and I think it's a good idea in the case of ADH. Treatment recommendations can vary but you want the best option for YOU, as bb said, and a second opinion may be the best way to get to that end. I'm glad you're getting one and hope that all goes well with you.
Hugs,
nc