worried about my memmogram and ultrasond test!!!!

I had memmogram on 1/25/07. The report said there were small clusters of microcalcifications on my left breast. It was not shown on my last year memmo. I was called back for additional views and also did ultrasond on Feb.10. The ultrasond technician said she could not find cysts. What does that mean? good or bad? I am shocked and very worried.
What should I do next? Shall I react immediately? (I have a scheduled out of town vacation with kids in few days). Shall I ask for any kind of biopsy? What kind of the doctors I should talk to?  I am 51, no family history, no any symptoms. Being an immigrant, I always have some sort of communication difficulties when dealing with medical care. I've just find this web forum and hope somebody can help me. Thanks!

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear yousu100:  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

[suzi-q]

The doctor on this site will be answering your question, however I am confused. micro Calcifications are tiny groups of calcium deposits.  Usually (80%) they are benign (non-cancerous).  however, there are times that the doctors send you for a biopsy to check to make sure it is nothing.  You said that the ultrasound technician said there are no cysts....I always thought calcifications and cysts were different things.  See what the doctor on this site says, but I would still check with my doctor and ask if you should have a biopsy.

[yousu100]

THANK YOU suzi-q and Forum-RN-RF. I think the ultrasound may be used to tell solid  calcifications (troublesome)from cyst(fluid filled?). That is why I am even more uneasy when the ultrasound girl said no cyst was found. I have just called that my report has not ready yet and I will get the report tomorrow hopefuly.

[Montana girl 06]

You're smart to ask for your radiology report. That will help you clear up some of your questions. A copy of the radiology report should also go to your doctor. My doctor always calls me when there is an abnormal finding on my reports and she tells me what the next step is, but you could call your doctor yourself. Most often calcifications are benign. If yours are suspicious they will recommend a biopsy. Some biopsies are done by the radiologist and some by surgeons. My doctor always has me see a surgeon before a biopsy. This gives me a chance to ask questions and make sure this is the best type of biopsy for my problem. Your doctor or surgeon will tell you if you need to have a biopsy done right away or if you can wait a few weeks. With calcifications they are usually willing to wait a few weeks for the biopsy if necessary. I hope this helps.

[yousu100]

Thank you all for your wonderful support! I got my second mammo report yesterday. It again stated the evidence of microcalcification. It is BIRADS 4. Biopsy is suggested. Pretty scary. The ultra sound report is negative, though. I am going to see a breast surgeon tomorrow to discuss the biopsy, I guess. I don't know if I have any choices. I've just collected my previous mammo reports today and noticed I had BIRADS 2--benign finding, on right side on 2005 mammo report. But I never knew it and no follow up about it until after a year. Does benign can transform to a malign one? I am glad I find this web site so that there are some people out there can share my concerns and I certainly learned something from other's experience.

[boninclyde]

How did your appointment go? Benign can turn into malignant. Sometimes.

[CC Mom]

I came to this site looking for comfort. I had my first mamogram (mammogram) on Jan. 9th ( I am 41) my doctor called on the 18th to say it was abnormal. I needed a spot mamogram (mammogram) I was able to do that about four days later. They still saw the area so a ultrasound was done. The area did not show up on the ultra sound. A stereotactic biopsy was reccommended. I met with a surgeon he then schedule the biopsy for Feb. 6th. They were not able to complete the biopsy because of  the area it is in left breast lower area between breast and breast bone. They did a few more spot mamograms and it is there very clearly. They sent me to ultrasound again to see if it could be found and the biopsy be done that way but it still does not show up on the ultrasound. They said to return in 3 months. I am going crazy! They of course said not to worry. I just had one friend finshed radiation this week and found out last night another has just been diagnosed. I think about it every minute.

[Montana girl 06]

Is the abnormal area calcifications? Calcs usually do not show up on an ultrasound, although they usually do an ultrasound to see if there is a mass in the area. Did they discuss the possibility of a surgical biopsy to remove the area (wire-directed?) If it is calcifications, 3 months isn't terribly long to wait. If you are not comfortable waiting, however, it can be a very stressful wait. You can always ask for a second opinion.

[Montana girl 06]

They mark calcifications on mammograms and follow them to see if they turn suspicious. If yours are rated as Birad 4 they are suspicious, but a very high percentage of birad 4 still turn out to be benign. My birad 4 calcifications were benign. You need to have the biopsy to find out for sure, though.

[auntbeebe]

HI everyone
What a great place this is...I luckily stumbled upon it.
Anyway,19 years ago I was bleeding from my left nipple...it turned out to be some extra cells...hyperplagia...I believe they were considered pre cancerous.
It was intraductal...they removed 1/4 of my ducts...after that I had regular mammos and since I turned 40 seven years ago...I get them yearly. Last year they had me take a sono as well, given my history. But all my mammo's have been fine.
Today when I went, I wasn't worried like I usually am....and sure enough...they had me get undressed again and took a second film. They wanted to sono me today...but couldn't get a prescription in time.

So I am going tomorrow.
When the radiologist called me in ...he showed me what looked like a white dime on my right breast. He said he didn't like how it looked and didn't say much else...didn't mention a cyst or anything.

I have learned a lot from this site already.
I figure they are looking to see if it shows up on the sono....calcifications don't show up right?
What questions should I be prepared to ask tomorrow?
If this is anything...I want to treat it aggressively because I was told my past history increased my risk for breast cancer greatly.

so I want to know if it's micro or macro right
and BIRAD 4?
anything else.

It was very tightly together ....has anyone else had this??

thanks so much
sorry this is so long

god bless you all

Char

[boninclyde]

The doctor or radiologist will guide you through. A simple question, "is tell me everything I need to know". They should be very experienced with this. I wish you well. Please post back when you get your results.

[Montana girl 06]

I've found that the radiology techs don't offer much info most of the time. They often refer you to a surgeon or breast specialist. You said you'd ask for a birad rating. Biopsy is recommended for a birad 4 or 5. If they tell you a biopsy is recommended I would ask what type, and why that specific type was recommended. Also ask for a copy of the radiologists report when it is finished. Sometimes they make you request it through your doctor or specialist. Having said all that, it's still possible they'll decide you don't need a biopsy. Hope all turns out well. Keep us posted.