Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
clustered micrcalcifications and implants
Answered by
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.
clustered micrcalcifications and implants
by pjl4377, Jun 29, 2008 07:33PM
Hi,
Wondering if having breast implants could be the reason for my clustered microcalcifications. I had my left nipple invert on me after breast feeding my 5th and last child seven yrs ago, I had diagnostic mammo and US and everything was ok. My mammos every year since had been fine. A year ago decided to have implants and first mammo after, the calcifications were discovered, radiologist at the time said to just watch them. Went for my six mo. diagnostic for them last week and radiologist(different one) is very concerned and am having stereotactic vacuum assisted biopsy done on the 1st. Needless to say am terrified and the waiting is awful! The calcifications are way back behind the nipple that inverted so am also wondering if maybe the implant could have moved them forward enough to be seen. Just wanted to get some insight on this.
God bless
pjl4377
Wondering if having breast implants could be the reason for my clustered microcalcifications. I had my left nipple invert on me after breast feeding my 5th and last child seven yrs ago, I had diagnostic mammo and US and everything was ok. My mammos every year since had been fine. A year ago decided to have implants and first mammo after, the calcifications were discovered, radiologist at the time said to just watch them. Went for my six mo. diagnostic for them last week and radiologist(different one) is very concerned and am having stereotactic vacuum assisted biopsy done on the 1st. Needless to say am terrified and the waiting is awful! The calcifications are way back behind the nipple that inverted so am also wondering if maybe the implant could have moved them forward enough to be seen. Just wanted to get some insight on this.
God bless
pjl4377
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Jul 02, 2008 12:13PM
, Jul 02, 2008 12:13PM
Dear pjl4377: Microcalcifications are small calcium deposits found within the breast tissue and these are normal. Microcalcifications in and of themselves are not a condition that would become cancerous. However they can be a sign of a problem that may need further investigation based on their appearance on a mammogram. For instance microcalcifications that are more scattered are probably due to a benign (non-cancerous) cause and microcalcifications that form a cluster may increase concern that there may be an underlying tumor. Microcalcifications that are indeterminate may need further investigation such as a diagnostic mammogram to further characterize the calcifications. Calcifications do not move around but more may form over time. The pattern of their formation lends clues as to whether or not more investigation is needed. Implants are not likely the explanation for clustered calcifications.
Member Comments (2)
by japdip, Jul 01, 2008 10:42PM
To: pjl4377
Microcalcifications occur normally in breast tissue but when they are clustered or observed in certain groupings they become a concern. Possibly those seen on the previous mammogram were scattered but have since formed a cluster. When this is observed it is an indication of some changes in the breast tissue that may or may not be due to cancer. A biopsy is the only way to know what changes are occuring as well as their cause. I don't believe the implants would have anything to do ith the changes in your Mammogram. Regards ....
Post Comment
