mamogram with calcifications

[infrance]

Yesterday I had a stereotactic biopsy after a mamogram showed and increase in microcalcifications from the prior year. I had had microcalifications 14 years ago and had a stereotactic biopsy. The results then were benign. since then, I've had calcifications show up on pretty much all of my mamograms, but this time there's been a noticable increase (and they are not near the previous area). The radiologist seems very pessimistic and basically told me that it might be a good idea to prepare myself for bad news. At the same time, she told me that if my condition did prove to be cancer, it would be "in situ", and therefore very curable. Q 1: how often do worrisome, suspicious microcalcifications turn out to be benign (statistically)? Q 2: can radiologists really see that microcalcifations are entirely in situ from an xray, or do I have to worry that this could turn even more serious (ie, invasive or microinvasive)?
Thank you for your response

[Eric Wang, MD]

Calcifications are very common in the breast. Sometimes they are clearly benign, and no further investigation is necessary. Other times, they are either suggestive of cancer or highly suggestive of cancer, and in these cases a biopsy is often recommended, either with a needle or with surgery. The decision on when and how to biopsy these calcifications is dependent on the patient, breast surgeon, and often radiologist.

[Jaquta]

Hi.  Just another member here looking for answers.
You might try a Google search to try and find stats.  I'm not sure about stats but have been told that calcifications can be present in other places besides the breast and can represent benign conditions.  Inflammation, etc.

When I had my first mammogram I had microcalcifications that kind of appeared in a row.  I guess that gives weight to it being ? in-situ.

I guess it's an extremely anxious time for you.  I think that the important thing is to wait for the results of your biopsy.

I think that radiologists are able to use their knowledge and expertise to evaluate what they see.  I think that needs to be supported by results from further investigations though.

I think that you just take it one step at a time.

If it is say DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) then it has been caught at an early stage.  If left untreated then DCIS can become invasive.

I had DCIS several years ago and was treated with a partial mastectomy followed by radiotherapy.

I think that you do the research (or not, because it can be pretty scary and I think that your doctor is the best person to answer your questions) and you just take it one step at a time.  Diagnosis is a process and can't be rushed.  Learning to relax and manage stress can be important during this time.

The breast cancer community here at medhelp might also be able to answer any questions you may have.