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microcalcifications and lump
I found a lump area in my right breast(in the top portion about 1:00) about 2 wks ago i noticed it. I have very lumpy breasts anyway because I have Fibro cystic breasts. So i made an appt. w/my gyno and she palpated and told me it was probably nothing to worry about, but she scheduled me for a mammo anyway. I had a dianostic mammo done and they found what I assume were cluster microcal( the doctor did'nt say, and I don't know enough to ask the right questions yet) he did however say it was something to be of concern. So i had an ultrasound done and there is mass i'm not sure how big they did'nt tell me. So the next next step is a biopsy, i don't know what kind and an MRI on both breasts.
My question is how worried should I be at this point and can breast calcifications be caused from sources such as too much caffine? My last mammo done in 3/04 showed nothing unusual, except to sat that I had very dense breast tissue. I am trying to stay positive my biopsy is scheduled for 4/26.
My question is how worried should I be at this point and can breast calcifications be caused from sources such as too much caffine? My last mammo done in 3/04 showed nothing unusual, except to sat that I had very dense breast tissue. I am trying to stay positive my biopsy is scheduled for 4/26.
I am 40yrs, no Breast Cancer in my family, which seems to be insignificant when it comes to changes in the breast and concerns associated w/breast cancer. My 1st Mammo was done on 4/11, the next day they called and said the right breast was suspicious, went for magnified cone compressions and the finding were a cluster of pleomorphic microcalcifications located behind the nipple. The cluster did not have a well defined shape and the calcifications were quite numerous. "You could not palpate the area-nothing to feel" The note documented suspicious of malignancy. On 4/24, I had a sterotactic biopsy @ the Mayo Clinic. They had difficulty reaching the site after 2 hours of torture! I can only imagine what it would have been like,not having the novacaine. Since they were unsuccessful, I had a 15 min breather and they performed a second biopsy from a different angle-underneath and much more painful. A titanium marker was placed in the breast for future biopsies/surgeries. Three days passed with a very swollen breast waiting for results. I am still discolored but am feeling much better after the Benign results. Now,I am scared from a recent letter I received that they want to do another series of mammos and an ultrasound @ 6 months. My local NC doctor called and wanted to discuss my results. He said that different types of benign growths can rear their ugly heads in the future as malignancies. I don't know what type it is, but will find out soon. Has anyone experienced any of this before & if so..what should I expect for the future? Thank you....
Hi I'm 43yrs, I have read several of your questions, answers, fears and reliefs. I have a cluster of 4 microcalcifications in right breast and a birads score 3, january had mamo got called back not unusual with me fibrocyst breast, but this time was different and shocking what are microcalcifications? , found website and read alot. Today four months later had another mamo and was told everything is o.k. but not sure im comfortable with that, should i have had ultra sound, or something? I did'nt even talk with dr. this time. Any comments? should I be concerned or just trust everything is o.k.? thanks
Hi Ladies,
Just wanted to let you know that I just went through the same thing. I had an excisional biopsy 4 weeks ago and it turned out to be a fibroadenoma. The waiting and the worrying is the worst. I had an excellent and reassuring surgeon. She told me that she would have some answer for me in the recovery room and a complete and 100% answer the following day, sure enough she called me on Friday evening. The relief was unbelievable. I understand what you are going through and you are probably trying to read everything you can get your hands on. I did the same thing for 6 weeks from the time I found the lump until it was taken out. I am 48 years old and the chances of it being a fibroadenoma weren't that great since they are more common in younger women. So stay strong and try not to worry excessively. Best of luck to you and I will hope and pray you have good results.
Just wanted to let you know that I just went through the same thing. I had an excisional biopsy 4 weeks ago and it turned out to be a fibroadenoma. The waiting and the worrying is the worst. I had an excellent and reassuring surgeon. She told me that she would have some answer for me in the recovery room and a complete and 100% answer the following day, sure enough she called me on Friday evening. The relief was unbelievable. I understand what you are going through and you are probably trying to read everything you can get your hands on. I did the same thing for 6 weeks from the time I found the lump until it was taken out. I am 48 years old and the chances of it being a fibroadenoma weren't that great since they are more common in younger women. So stay strong and try not to worry excessively. Best of luck to you and I will hope and pray you have good results.
Thank you for your support. It really is nice to have someone who understands what your going through, although I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. I had my biopsy today. It went very well there was some minor discomfort. My doctor will call me with the results in about a week. Then we'll go from there. they said my lump is about 1cm.Somehow I find that encouraging, I don't know why but I do. How are you handling the stress and the wait? I am having panic attacks and trouble sleeping at night. I am trying to stay positive and praying alot. I wish you all the best and God's blessings. Let me know.
Maggie, I am going through something almost exactly similar except I have had a lump in my breast since I was 15 years old. Just lately it seems to have been getting bigger and causing me some discomfort. My doctor immediately ordered an ultrasound. After the ultrasound, they ordered a mammogram. After the mammogram I hear that there is an "abnormalty" and that I should have a biopsy or have it completely removed. So, I go to the surgeon to have a consultation and ask him what the abnormalty was. He also said it was calcification. Now, I'm 31 years of age and the surgeon says there's a very small chance it's cancer. My doctor says it's probably fibroadenema because of my age. I'm freaking out!! Surgery is tentatively scheduled for next Friday...You are not alone!!!
Dear maggie42: Microcalcifications are normally found within breast tissue. The pattern of their growth may increase or decrease concern. Scattered calcifications are generally less concerning and clusters of calcifications may increase concern that there could be an abnormality. Caffiene may contribute to fibrocystic breast disease but is not thought to contribute to the development of microcalcifications. There is no way to speculate on whether this is benign or malignant. The biopsy is the best way to determine the nature of the "abnormality."
Dear japdip,
Thank you for your input. Any info right now is very helpful. I learned about microcal and clusters from a breast cancer websight. The doctor was not very reassuring, not that he wasn't kind, and he did ask me if I had any questions. But I honestly did not expect him to find any thing so I was not prepared to ask questions. The nurse that did the ultra sound was very reassuring and told me that she had calcifications as well and had a biopsy and every thing came out fine. Its hard not to think the worst, so many things run through your mind its crazy! When the doctor was showing me the mammogram films he said see these white dots here and handed me a magnifying glass to see them, these are calcifications. I'm thinking okay thats okay no big deal. Then he said when we see these it causes us some concern-All of a sudden I felt like I got hit in the stomach! Then he went on to say that he wanted to do an ultrasound, and because my breast are so dense he wants to do an MRI on both breasts to make sure nothing is hiding. Anyways I've gone on enough. Its just that times like these you just need someone to talk to who has been through it. Thanks again!
Thank you for your input. Any info right now is very helpful. I learned about microcal and clusters from a breast cancer websight. The doctor was not very reassuring, not that he wasn't kind, and he did ask me if I had any questions. But I honestly did not expect him to find any thing so I was not prepared to ask questions. The nurse that did the ultra sound was very reassuring and told me that she had calcifications as well and had a biopsy and every thing came out fine. Its hard not to think the worst, so many things run through your mind its crazy! When the doctor was showing me the mammogram films he said see these white dots here and handed me a magnifying glass to see them, these are calcifications. I'm thinking okay thats okay no big deal. Then he said when we see these it causes us some concern-All of a sudden I felt like I got hit in the stomach! Then he went on to say that he wanted to do an ultrasound, and because my breast are so dense he wants to do an MRI on both breasts to make sure nothing is hiding. Anyways I've gone on enough. Its just that times like these you just need someone to talk to who has been through it. Thanks again!
Hi, Its me again. Wondering if you can have fibroadenomas(sp) with calcification clusters? The lump I have showed up on ultrasound but all I saw on mammo films was the calcifications. The clusters (2) one area smaller than the other in the same vicinity were of circular shape. Also what do you consider early stage breast cancer? What if Ive had this lump for a while and just now noticed it? When the doctor came in to see the ultrasound he did mention it looked smaller on the ultrasound than on the mammo. Of course I didn't see the mass on the mammo but apparently he did. Do fibros show on an ultrasound? Do cysts never show up on ultrasounds as dark spots?Did I mention I am 42 yrs old.
Just a comment ..... microcalcifications are judged as indicative of a problem depending on the form they take. They are normally present in breast tissue but when found in clusters they might indicate a problem that needs attention. I'm amazed that you weren't told more but I would hope that when you see a surgeon, more will be explained to you.
Just take it a step at a time and try not to let your imagination rule your thoughts. Best of Luck .....
Just take it a step at a time and try not to let your imagination rule your thoughts. Best of Luck .....
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