calcification

[mickiej]

I was called by my Dr. Friday and told my second mammogram showed a suspicious  looking area and they want me to go to a surgeon and Have a biopsy. Was told I had calcification. I have just begun my research of what this is and what to expect. Has any one else had this and if it is cancerous how do they usually treat it...hopefully it is not but I want to be prepared for the worst.  Any encouragement or advice is welcome...I am trying to keep it together but it has shaken me up....not knowing is the worse part and waiting is the second.

[kittyluv1]

The fact that you were unable to have the steriotactic biopsy done at this time only means that they are unable to definitively determine the BRIADS score to verify the level 4 provided by the pathologist on prior examination,  Followup with the ultrasound and if there is any question regarding the suspicious area, they can perform an MRI guided biopsy which should be helpful in determining the BRIADS score.  Is your ultrasound scheduled or did they say wait for three months to have it done?
Growth in size does not determine whether cancer is present -- a benign, non-cancerous lesion may also grow in size and prove troublesome and need to be removed primarily  for patient comfort.
A 20-30% risk of malignancy is rather high and should definitely be investigated. I would question what reasons that the doctor gave for such a high risk especially since they have not yet done a biopsy to examine the cells under a microscope.  However, if the surgeon is in agreement that a 3 month followup is appropriate and you feel comfortable with him, I would just continue to be vigilant and do monthly self breast exams and notify your doctor if you notice any change at all from the present condition.
Good luck and best wishes!

[weehum]

i too am going thru the shake up. i had my mamm. on july 14 they called me back for more pics then brought me back again to do a sterio tactic biopsy on the 23rd because of a cluster of calcifications that was suspicion level 4. then they could not do the biopsy because the cluster was against my implant and between two veins. so they sent me home said to come back in 6 months if it has grown its cancer and they would be more aggressive. i didnt like the choise they gave me so i got a second opinion from a surgeon. he said mostly the same, only he sent me back to do a ultra sound and said repeat mamm. in 3 months. i dont like my options it will still be in the same place if it grows and then what? anyway what i was told is that my chances of it being cancer is 20-30 %.i hope your surgeon can do your biopsy so you dont have to play the waiting game. the first week was torture but now im just worrying and waiting.

[japdip]

If you have been referred to a surgeon then I'm sure some sort of biopsy will be done eventually. The Surgeon will go over your records, films, reports, and do a clinical exam. He/She will then decide what type of biopsy would be the best in your particular case. Microcalcifications do occur normally within breast tissue but when they are clustered or grouped in certain patterns they do raise suspicion. Even when they are found in clusters they are often found to be benign upon biopsy. Regards ..

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

Calcifications can have different patterns showing in the mammogram, and therefore can mean different things.  What is more important is the overall impression of your radiologist which can be reported as the BIRADS score.  Each score represents the likelihood of malignancy of each mammogram finding (http://biradsclass.blogspot.com) and this should direct future actions, such as that of pursuing a biopsy.

I suggest you ask your radiologist about your birads score and refer to birads info regarding the likelihood of malignancy.

Regards and God bless.