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biopsy & comments by radiologist
I'm awaiting the results of yesterday's stereotactic biopsy, which, incidentally, was not painful despite horror stories I had read about.
Following my original mammogram, I had been called back for a magnification mammogram and given the rating BIRAD 4. The radiologist said he saw a cluster (clusters?) of microcalcifications and recommended a stereotactic biopsy. A second radiologist looked at the films and said it might be benign because the micros were so small that they might not even show up, and that it was possible I might wait 6 months. However, when I was given a trial run at the stereotactic machinery (to see if the micros were visible), a different radiologist said they were visible enough for the biopsy. After yesterday's biopsy, the radiologist said, among other comments, that the micros were linear and in an unusual pattern. She also said it was good there was not a lot of bleeding because anecdotally, they've found more bleeding during the procedure with malignant cells. My
question is: does "linear" mean a much higher percentage that this is a malignancy or invasive cancer?
Following my original mammogram, I had been called back for a magnification mammogram and given the rating BIRAD 4. The radiologist said he saw a cluster (clusters?) of microcalcifications and recommended a stereotactic biopsy. A second radiologist looked at the films and said it might be benign because the micros were so small that they might not even show up, and that it was possible I might wait 6 months. However, when I was given a trial run at the stereotactic machinery (to see if the micros were visible), a different radiologist said they were visible enough for the biopsy. After yesterday's biopsy, the radiologist said, among other comments, that the micros were linear and in an unusual pattern. She also said it was good there was not a lot of bleeding because anecdotally, they've found more bleeding during the procedure with malignant cells. My
question is: does "linear" mean a much higher percentage that this is a malignancy or invasive cancer?
Hello,
I was greatly relieved to learn the results of the stereotactic biopsy were benign. "Fibrocystic changes," "dilated ducts (??)," "no neoplasms," "good samples" were among the comments.
With the original concern with microcalcifications, esp. the terms "cluster" and "linear," I was pretty pessimistic, so you can imagine how happy I was with the report. Can you offer a few comments? I also am wondering how often repeat biopsies are needed--for every new microcalcification? Do they keep popping up?
I was greatly relieved to learn the results of the stereotactic biopsy were benign. "Fibrocystic changes," "dilated ducts (??)," "no neoplasms," "good samples" were among the comments.
With the original concern with microcalcifications, esp. the terms "cluster" and "linear," I was pretty pessimistic, so you can imagine how happy I was with the report. Can you offer a few comments? I also am wondering how often repeat biopsies are needed--for every new microcalcification? Do they keep popping up?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The comments regarding the pattern of califications are not very helpful. Look forward to your post after the biopsy results are in.
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