microcalcification on mammo

I am 40 and just had digital mammo first time analog age 35 Found 3 microcalcifications right breast in small cluster Am now scheduled for stereotactic needle biopsy. Is biopsy really necessary right now? Are 3 specks considered a cluster? What are the chances of cancer? Need to know ASAP! Really freaked out!

[zouzi]

Hi,
Mammograms are very good tools to detect Microcalcifications...When they are scattered around the breast,there is not much to be concerned about,but what was seen on your mammograms was 3 clustered (grouped) calcifications and not only 3 specks.For this reason you are having a biopsy because there is just a suspicion that something is going on, but not necessarily an indication of cancer.Many clustered calcifications are found to be benign in nature,so try to stay calm and not jump to any conclusion right now.Yes you definitely need to have this biopsy done,because it's the only way to make sure that these calcifications are benign or not.Good luck and best wishes...

[16cats]

can anyone define"clustered" re:breast calcifications??? I NEED to know more about this as it all happened 2 days ago!!!!!!!!!! Does it indicate cancer??????????? What does description and grouping indicate??????? Does anyone know stats or more details concerning this finding on mammo??????? I'm sick of getting jerked around by md office!!!!!!!!!!HHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPP!!!!!


16cats

[zouzi]

In this Forum,we are all members and NOT doctors who respond to posts.If you  need a Doctor's advice,I would suggest that you post in the "Expert Forum" where physicians will respond to you.You can find it by clicking on "Forums" at the top of the page,or on the right of this board "Related Expert Forum"

FYI ,"Cluster" means that the calcification is grouped..like a bunch of grapes.

[iam1butterfly]

I also have calcifications (right breast) and, in multiple clusters. And, I've undergone the biopsy process twice within a 3 year period due to the formation of microcalfication clusters.... so, I can totally relate to your fears and concerns.  
As zouzi explained, sometimes these calcifications appear as scattered specks on a mammogram. And, sometimes, they present themselves as clusters. A cluster is a formation or grouping of calcifications that are within very close proximity to one another. Statistically, calcifications are rarely, if ever, cancerous. However, they are an abnormality that warrants attention... especially, whenever a grouping of clusters appears. Doctors often view that as being "suspicious" because it would suggest that something within the surround breast tissue, where the calcifications have formed, is triggering their growth. So, when you go to have your stereotactic biopsy, not only will a sampling of calcifications be extracted... a sampling of surrounding breast tissue will be taken as well. The biopsy, as zouzi pointed out, is the only sure method of knowing if the calcifications are benign.
I know that it's hard to do... but, try to stay calm. I freaked out too, when I had to go through this... twice!
Hopefully, your results will return as favorably as mine did. Take care.

[bluebutterfly2222]

As zouzi indicated in her first reply to you, clustered or grouped means the same thing. As she also pointed out, it can mean that something  is going on, but it is NOT  necessarily an indication of cancer.

A stereotactic needle biospy is a relatively simple procedure, and it will give information as to what might be going on.  I'm not sure why you are feeling "jerked around" by your doctor's office, but until this is completed and the pathology report is back, no one can really tell you more . The wait for an answer if difficult, but is something we all go through, even after a routine mammogram.

Best wishes...

[16cats]

"Jerked around" by my md's office is not returning calls and not giving information to me about results of this mammo that needs biopsy! I've had to make all the calls.  They have a responsibility to me to report test results and follow through with answering any questions that I may have!!!!!!!!!!  The nurses "triage" phone calls! That's a joke. I guess quelling my fears about having cancer is not a priority. It is called "empathy". I am a nurse and believe me empathy and understanding are number one. Not judgement!
P.S. They still haven't called back.

16cats

[bluebutterfly2222]

I am sorry that things have not gone better with your doctor's office. You certainly have a right to a written copy of the radiologist's report ( if you do not already have it), which would include a BIRADS number and recommendations, and to have your doctor or other health professional go over it with you. (Part of the problem, however, may be that, as I mentioned before, there is probably little more anyone CAN tell you at this point, other than that a biopsy is recommended due to clustered microcalcifications...)

How soon is your biopsy scheduled for?

I am sorry about the anxious time you are going through!

Regards,
bluebutterfly

[ncmichigan]

I'm sorry ,too to hear that your doctor's office is not taking care of you as they should. I'm also a nurse and I've found that my docs make an extra effort to be concerned, thoughtful and caring with me. I guess I've been lucky.
I've had 3 biopsies in the last five years and the last one was for microcalcs. My path report was lobular carcinoma in situ. It's not 100% benign but it's not invasive breast cancer either, so I am very grateful. It's a marker for increased risk of developing cancer so I will need extra vigilent screening and will take tamoxifen for 5 years. My other two showed bign fibrocystic changes, so don't be too alarmed. I know it's easier said than done, but the majority of biopsies are benign and the numbers are in your favor. Just try to take one day at a time and get your support from family, friends and some of the wonderful women on this forum. We all wish you the best and good results!

[ncmichigan]

Oh, I forgot to mention that the digital mammograms are picking up a lot more than the old mammos did. My doctor told me that before I had my last one, so I wasn't really surprised by the call back and biopsy.

[16cats]

My biopsy is Dec. 29, only because I set it up with the office where I had my mammo.  My md office wanted me to see a certain md but she/he couldn't see me until Jan. 20.
I was like that's not going to happen! They must really be joking if they think they're going to tell you that they don't know if something is cancerous or not and make you sit around for a month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



16cats

[very_scary_stuff]

A related discussion, Please help me understand the pattern of my microcalcifications!! was started.