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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Breast calcifications
Answered by
Cleveland Clinic - breast cancer
Cleveland - OH
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Breast calcifications
by moinfo, Dec 26, 2007 11:06AM
I have a breast calcification on my right breast. I have had 3 mamograms in the past 6 months ( in order to clairify and define) and one attempt of a stereotatic needle biopsy. The biopsy could not be performed due to the area could not be defined. The Calcification has not had any changes however the sergon wants futher test. I have a choice of going to a larger city for a breast MRI or attempting another biopsy. I understand that MRI may not pick up the Calcification will that be a waste of time? The calcification is a arch shape and can not be felt. I do not want anything real invasive. I am at a loss of what to do. I just want to watch the area. I do not feel that it is something to be concerned about. If some one can tell me that something can locate the area more clearly, I will be glad to do something but it seems it is just to small to find. What is the best step to take so that time and money will not be wasted?
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Dec 28, 2007 07:22AM
, Dec 28, 2007 07:22AM
Dear moinfo, Decisions about what to do need to be based on evaluation of the current testing, and degree of suspicion. An MRI may or may not provide information to help clarify the situation it is difficult to say whether or not we would recommend it. You may want to seek a second opinion with a breast specialist who can review your case, including viewing of the films and physical examination and make recommendations based on the information. These specialists are usually associated with large academic centers.
Member Comments (3)
by jmak, Dec 29, 2007 12:41AM
To: Breast Calcifications
This is how my story went. I was called back after my yearly exam for a diagnostic mammogram because they saw some calcification but they didn't know what was causing it and they wanted to know. While I was there they did an ultrasound which enabled them to see something that lead the doctor to believe I needed to have a needle biopsy which the results were stage 1 breast cancer. I was very fortunate that they caught it so early. I did have a lumpectomy, followed by radiation, followed by a year of herceptin and I will be on tomaxefin for 5 years. I did not have to go through the hair loss of chemo that a lot of people go through because my cancer was so small because they caught it so early. So I would suggest that you go to a larger city and have the needle biopsy done. The sooner you find out the better off you will be. If you wait you may be allowing the cancer to grow which means more drastic measures to get rid of it. As I tell you this you should also know that many older women have calcification which is nothing and they live with it forever but you really need a definitive answer... is it cancer or not! I also feel very fortunate that I was able to go to a hospital in Chicago that had a breast center. Hope this helps. Good luck with everything! Hope it is nothing but you need to find out now!
by jmak, Dec 29, 2007 12:49AM
To: Breast Calcifications
P.S. I have a very high deductible insurance so I was questioning every step whether or not it was truly necessary and they had to put needles into my breast so they knew where to cut out the cancer because it was so small they could not feel it. In the end everything I spent was well worth it. I would be very upset today if I would have ignored what they told me to do because I didn't want to pay for it. It was worth every penny.
