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microcalcification clusters
My recent mammogram showed microcalcifications in a cluster, so I had to have a more diagnostic mammogram. I know the person who does the mammogram, so when I had the second one, she gave it a quick look and told me the calcifications are clustered but appear to be rounded not jagged edge. Does anyone know what the difference means?
A related discussion, Calcifications was started.
I know it's extra stressful when you have a family history of breast cancer. But, you could get a second opinion on the calcs at a well-known breast center if you aren't already using one. Another thing, usually calcifications are a very early indication of cancer, especially if there is no mass. Six months is not an unreasonable amount of time to wait for another mammo. Since this was your first mammo, there is nothing to compare it to, so that 6 month follow-up will offer a good comparision. Sometimes they'll even do a 3 month follow-up to monitor calcs closely. But, if the calcifications are stressing you out, the best thing for you may be a biopsy because you need peace of mind. Let us know what you decide.
I know I'm not suppose to ask a question, but the other forum is closed and this is exactly what I am going through. I am 36 and had my first mammogram completed. I had to have a second one on my right breast and the BIRADA came back as a 3. I know that it says probably benign finding and follow up in six months, but my mom is a breast cancer surviver (ironically it was her right breast and she had to have it removed along with her lymph notes). I am a little worried and have an apt. with my OBGYN on Wednesday. I do not want to over react, but................................IF I have the beginning stadges or signs of the beginning stadges I want to do what is necessary to fight it in the beginning. When my mom was going through tests, operations and chemo it was only my dad and I to care for her. It was the most grueling expierence of my life. She surived and I thank god every day.
It finally took a woman surgeon to order that breast MRI that saved my life. She is now in Texas, and is a breast specialist at Cooper Ranch. If a third opinion makes you comfortable, do it.
I went to see the surgeon today. First he apologized for the mess-up with the partial report. (They didn't get the 2nd part until a couple of days later.) I had a lot of questions and his answers were very reassuring. One thing I'm learning is that for my case it's really important to have continuity in who reads the mammograms. Radiologist 1 was a visiting radiologist, Radiologist 2 tends to err on the side of caution, Radiologist 3 reads a lot more mammograms than the other two, and my surgeon trusts #3's interpretation over the other two. With our new digital technology here I was told there were a number of biopsies recommended by Radiologist 2 recently that Radiologist 3 said were unnecessary. This is the second time Radiologist 3 said the biopsy recommended by Radiologist 1 and/or 2 was not necessary and rated my calcs Birad 3 with 6 month followup. He feels the slight increase in calcifications is typical, and involves only the quadrant that was previously biopsied, indicating they could be caused by the previous biopsy.
My experience over the years is that every time a new radiologist reads my mammograms he gets alarmed, requests a biopsy, and the biopsy is benign. Today my surgeon said when I first went to him in 2004 and he read the mammograms he was also alarmed. But, now that he's followed my mammos for some time, he feels that the changes are benign.
So, now I wonder whether going out-of-state would really be helpful. In the end we decided to get all the materials (previous mammos and reports) together and have a local woman surgeon (whose practice is about 50% breast issues) look them over for a 2nd opinion to see if she agrees with 6 month follow-up or feels the area is still questionable. Then the materials will be ready to send out-of-state if I choose to get a 3rd opinion.
Does anyone else want to share their opinion with me?
My experience over the years is that every time a new radiologist reads my mammograms he gets alarmed, requests a biopsy, and the biopsy is benign. Today my surgeon said when I first went to him in 2004 and he read the mammograms he was also alarmed. But, now that he's followed my mammos for some time, he feels that the changes are benign.
So, now I wonder whether going out-of-state would really be helpful. In the end we decided to get all the materials (previous mammos and reports) together and have a local woman surgeon (whose practice is about 50% breast issues) look them over for a 2nd opinion to see if she agrees with 6 month follow-up or feels the area is still questionable. Then the materials will be ready to send out-of-state if I choose to get a 3rd opinion.
Does anyone else want to share their opinion with me?
Sounds like you have a good plan. Thanks for posting back.
I just want to thank all of you for your comments and suggestions. I did get my diagnostic mamogram # and it was a 3, probably benign, they told me to come back in six months for another mamogram, nothing to worry about. I am not waiting, I am making an appointment tomorrow. I have 3 aunts on my fathers side that died of breast cancer or is slowly dying. I am not taking any chances. Again thank you for your time and help.
Wow my thougths exactly. Thanks for writing wouldn't what I could not put into words. Can you tell me more about your cancer. Me invasive breast cancer 0.09mm, ER+, PR+, Her-, no lymph node involvement, oncotype test 20 1/2/. Right breast masectomy. Know on tamoxifen. The doctors told me during our appointments, "You sure have done your homework". I was full of questions. I don't let anything get the best of me. I got a second opinion on the breast biopsy and the masectomy biopsy. Insurance paid for it also. You have to move into action and fight. I have told many women here that knowledge will be your healer. My friend on the other discussion board passed on yesterday. I am so sad for her family. I am so sad.
I'm so sorry to hear your friend passed on. A teacher at my school passed on last November after her breast cancer returned also, just 5 months after she retired. It's so sad after all she went through. Unfortunately, death is going to get us all at some point, so I try not to dwell on the fact that it was due to breast cancer in this case. I
Now, those are the words of a strong woman who knows she's got to fight to live!
God Bless you!
God Bless you!
This whole cancer thing is sad. The most important thing I do for myself is to educate myself. I know alot of people go online and diagnose their ailments ... misdiagnose, etc etc. However, I can honest state that numerous times in the past five years if I had not obtained my reports or copies of them, and gone online to find out what this and that meant, I would have made wrong decisions in my battle, beginning with educating myself on what that unfamiliar word meant ... calcifications 5 years ago. Doctors do not like educated patients. They do not like you to question them. Let's face reality here, if we do not question them when we feel uneasy about something after a cancer dx, who will? I truly believe that our gut instincts are correct ... if you feel uneasy about a medical issue or, treatment, you need to educate yourself and fight not only the cancer, but the doctors when it comes to you disagreeing with them.
You are not stuck in a situation with any one doctor. I changed oncologists mid-chemo. I went to Hopkins one of the best in the nation because I happen to live in MD. But what I found is that those of us who were not in clinical trials were just numbers waiting in line to get poison. I did not like that and fired them and went onto a facility that treated me more like a human.
Believe it or not, I'm not bitter. I am a happy go lucky person. however, when it comes to my cancer, I know without a doubt, it's me against it and I'm not going to be a number if I can do something to prevent that from happening.
You are not stuck in a situation with any one doctor. I changed oncologists mid-chemo. I went to Hopkins one of the best in the nation because I happen to live in MD. But what I found is that those of us who were not in clinical trials were just numbers waiting in line to get poison. I did not like that and fired them and went onto a facility that treated me more like a human.
Believe it or not, I'm not bitter. I am a happy go lucky person. however, when it comes to my cancer, I know without a doubt, it's me against it and I'm not going to be a number if I can do something to prevent that from happening.
I totally agree. I was diagnosed with multifocal DCIS. My only option a masectomy. After masectomy they did find invasive breast cancer. It is scary how many women I read about with the same diagnosis or worse. Thank God I had the masectomy. I say get it out of there. No matter how minor. Allot of minor things end up being cancer. I know a lady passing on, on another board that only had DCIS diagnosed in 2000. It's sad for her. It just a matter of minutes or days. Early detection is the most important.
I was told the same thing 5 years ago....they were in a cluster but did not have jagged edges and were large. I was asked to come back in six months because they looked "very" benign.
I did not listen to them and went for another opinion. I had invasive breast cancer.
The bottom line on calcifications is this ... when they say they "look" benign, they are guessing! Yes, guessing with your life. The only way to know for sure is to have them biopsied. That radiologist office should recommend a biopsy on their report. If they don't then they are not an office I'd ever go back to. With calcs, you get the mamo, then larger views the second time around, then a sonogram and then a biopsy. No one can say with certainty that a calcification is benign. It is impossible to determine without the biopsy.
I did not take that chance 5 yrs ago and I'm typing to you now because I didn't listen to the come back in six months thing.
This whole calc thing really ticks me off. So many women, especially elderly women, bank on everything they are told. I often wonder how many women are being told to come back that actually do have cancer. I bet the number is staggering.
I did not listen to them and went for another opinion. I had invasive breast cancer.
The bottom line on calcifications is this ... when they say they "look" benign, they are guessing! Yes, guessing with your life. The only way to know for sure is to have them biopsied. That radiologist office should recommend a biopsy on their report. If they don't then they are not an office I'd ever go back to. With calcs, you get the mamo, then larger views the second time around, then a sonogram and then a biopsy. No one can say with certainty that a calcification is benign. It is impossible to determine without the biopsy.
I did not take that chance 5 yrs ago and I'm typing to you now because I didn't listen to the come back in six months thing.
This whole calc thing really ticks me off. So many women, especially elderly women, bank on everything they are told. I often wonder how many women are being told to come back that actually do have cancer. I bet the number is staggering.
The American College of Radiologists use the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRAD) to rate mammogram results. The scale is as follows:
0 Incomplete-Needs additional evaluation
1 Negative
2 Benign
3 Probably benign
4 Suspicious (biopsy should be considered)
5 Highly suggestive of malignancy
You need to know what yours was rated.
0 Incomplete-Needs additional evaluation
1 Negative
2 Benign
3 Probably benign
4 Suspicious (biopsy should be considered)
5 Highly suggestive of malignancy
You need to know what yours was rated.
It is somewhat likely the doctor will recommend a biopsy.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear omasgrandsons: Microcalcifications are small calcium deposits found within the breast tissue. There are different types of microcalcifications, and based on their pattern on the mammogram it gives the radiologist clues as to their cause. For instance microcalcifications that are more scattered are probably due to a benign (non-cancerous) cause, a
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