microcalcifications

I am going for a biopsy on a breast lump tomorrow, but my question is--shouldn't the calcifications be in the same spot as the lump for it to be suspious of cancer?  I have 4 aunts on my dad's side that have had breast cancer and my mom said her grandmother had cancer.  The lump looks like a cyst with some small particles floating in it.
Thanks for any and all replies...

[Dr Santos]

hi,
How are you? Micro-calcifications are tiny calcium deposits that show up as fine white specks on a mammogram. They are usually found in an area of the breast where cells are being replaced more quickly than normal. Usually, micro-calcifications are not due to cancer. However, in a small number of cases, a group of micro-calcifications seen in one area (a cluster), may be a sign of pre-cancerous changes in the breast, or of an early breast cancer. When calcifications are detected, there is usually no lump in the breast to show exactly where the calcification is, so a biopsy is taken using one of the following techniques: needle core biopsy using image guidance or localization and excision.
I hope this helps. Take care and keep us posted.

[petwoman]

Thanks for replying, so when they do the biopsy will they do just the lump or near the calcifications also?  I have about 10 or so of them tiny specs in 1 small cluster, they are not all the same size or shape

[Dr Santos]

How are you? How was your biopsy?   In Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB)  The needle is placed into the mass/lump, full suction is placed on the syringe and moved back and forth until material can be seen in the bottom of the syringe. The goal of fine-needle aspiration is to fill the needle with cells that are then quickly transferred onto a slide and immediately fixed. This will then be sent to the laboratory. There are other kind of biopsy that may utilize ultrasound, mammogram or even mri to guide the surgeon the exact location of the cyst or microcalcifications.

Take care and keep us posted with your biopsy result.

[petwoman]

The surgeon was unable to get any fluid out, he tried 5 times but still no fluid. He was not concerned at all, he was very confident it was just a cyst.  He did suggest that I go to a genetic specialist for further testing to see if I have the breast cancer gene.  Because of my family history of cancer, he strongly suggested it.  I am relieved about the diagnosed, but at the same time concerned that no fluid could be drawn out(sd it was about the size of a pea) and also that the micro-calcifications are in that same area.
I do have to go back to him in sept for another mammogram and ultrasound. plus he sd the genetic test would/should be back by then.
Thanks for this site, it does take the edge off for people.  :)

[Dr Santos]

I'm glad i could be of help. A breast cancer (BRCA) gene test is a blood test to check for specific changes (mutations) in genes that help control normal cell growth. A woman's risk of breast or ovarian cancer is higher if she has BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene changes. Genetic counseling before and after a BRCA test is very important to help you understand the benefits, risks, and possible outcomes of the test.

Good luck on the mammogram and ultrasound. Take care and keep us posted.