Cluster Microcalcification with pleomorphic elements

[Ali713]

I recently received results from an additional view mammogram and it says anterior cluster of microcalcifications has pleomorphic elements and is suspicious. Assessment category 4-suspicious. I am going to a surgeon on Monday should I be nervous???

[Jopen]

I have a mommogram 2 weeks ago and they found 4 clustered microcalcification and a mild pleomophic. Is this very bad may vacation is planned already this week do i need to cancel my vacation and deal with this findings right away?? I really need some help !!!

[Ali713]

It's been a while since my surgery. I am doing well and healing. The DCIS ended up being multifocal invasive Stage 1 but they believe they got everything because I had clear margins and clear lymph nodes. They sent my tumors to California for the oncotype testing and that came back today. My score is 22 and I go see the oncologist tomorrow. I was all set to do the radiation but I am really nervous about doing chemo if need be. 22 is in the grey area so I will have to make some decisions about having the 4 rounds of chemo every three weeks. Has anyone done just the four rounds and how did you tolerate it.

Thank you

[Ali713]

Hi Zouzi,

Thank you so much I will keep you posted.

Ali

[zouzi]

Hi Ali,
I really have no personal knowledge about this 5 days partial radiation.I have read that many women have done it and they are quite happy to have chosen this method. I don't know also bout the side effects.I know that not every one is qualified to have this type of therapy,but if your doctors are saying that you could ,then I don't see why you shouldn't.Before accepting this method though, ask your doctors all that you need to know about this procedure....and if you are fully satisfied with their answers,so much the better.You can also research over the internet and get as much information as possible.I wish you well for next Wednesday's surgery and we'll keep our fingers crossed for 'Clear margins" Good LUCK Ali...PS I hope Bluebutterfly or someone else has better information about this 5 day radiation.

[Ali713]

Hi Guys,

They changed the surgery date I will have the lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy next wednesday the 20th of January. If the margins come back clear they are talking about the 5 day partial radiation. Do you know of anyone who has had this and are the side effects the same as 6 week radiation.

Thanks for all your help

[bluebutterfly2222]

Sorry you are having to face still another surgery, but the lumpectomy should give the best answer to what you are dealing with. (Better than to have someone keep drilling for samples, right?)

Another week until the lumpectomy? Try to do something nice for yourself meanwhile--you deserve it! Maybe go out with friends, or to a movie. It may be difficult to fully enjoy activities due to the worries hanging over you, but at least they may distract you a bit for a while...

Hang in there!

[Ali713]

Hi Zouzi,

Thank you for all the positive imput. I will keep you posted.

God Bless,
Ali

[zouzi]

Hi Ali,
I hope that you are feeling fairly well after your biopsy.I think that a lumpectomy is the best solution to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion in your situation.
I had a partial mastectomy ( lumpectomy) and the healing time is not very long and not that painful. I only had mild pain and took some Tylenol for a couple of days.After your surgery you are going to receive some instructions from the Hospital on what to do when you'll go home...like exercising your arms and applying ice packs to minimize pain swelling and bruising.(hematoma).Also wearing a good supportive bra does help.

Usually when a lumpectomy is performed,the goal is to remove the entire area of concern (lump), leaving negative margins.Since abnormal cells cannot be seen with the naked eye, it is possible for residual cells (DCIS or cancer) to be left behind.  If a second procedure fails to yield negative margins, the options may include additional surgery and/or radiation therapy, depending on what types of cells are found in the specimens and at the margins.  Your doctor will be better able to assist you with possible options based on your situation and the pathology reports.
Please try to stay calm(If at all possible) and take one step at a time,everything will be okay sooner then you think.
Wishing you an uneventful surgery and a quick recovery.Good luck...

[Ali713]

My internet has been down for a few days...I went for an MRI biopsy and they coulnd find those spots that they saw the week before...So now I am scheduled for a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy next friday the 15th. Sometimes I feel like I am going in all kinds of directions. Is the healing time on a lumpectomy very long do you know if they usually get clear margins? Can you tell I am a little nervous. Thank you for every thing.

[zouzi]

Hi Ali,
I hope you are doing well after your second biopsy.I sent you a note the  5th of Jan.. You can see it on your profile page when you click on "My Med Help" at the top of the page, on your right,then click on "profile".

Like Bluebutterfly said it so nicely,we are all here to support you and help you the best way we can.Wishing you all the best!

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi Ali,

How are you doing after your  biopsy?

I'm sure you are feeling nervous, after dealing with uncertainty and various procedures since November, and then having to have another biopsy!  The wait for results is always difficult, but once you get them, you and your medical team should be able to formulate a plan and move on to treatment.

Keep us posted, and remember that we are here for you, and are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

Best wishes...

[Ali713]

Hi Zouzi,

I had my MRI and it shows
1. segmental, non-mass-like enhancement and small masses within the eight to nine   o'clock position of the left breast, corresponding to area of biopsy confirmed DCIS. The two nodular areas of enhancement within the eight o'clock position of the left breast may represent an invasive component.
2. Lineare non-mass like enhancement within the posterior depth of the left breast, three o'clock position. This could represent multicentric disease and further evaluation with MRI-guided biopsy is recommended.
3. Clumped enhancement in a linear distribution at 11:00 o'clock position, posterior depth, of the right breast. This finding raises suspicion for colateral disease. Further evaluation with MRI-guided biopsy is rec ommended.

I am getting a little nervous...I am going for another biopsy today. Thank you for your ongoing support.

[zouzi]

Yes indeed,I am a strong believer too,that God is always there to help us through the bad times.I am also sure that you will be just fine.Thank you for your good wishes and I also wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New year 2010..to you and your the family :)

[Ali713]

Hi zouzi,

They scheduled the MRI for 12/22/09 and then the Doctors visit for the results on 12/31/09. I will let you know how I make out. Thank you so much for the encouragement. I'm sure everything will be okay. I'm a strong believer the God doesn't give you more than you can handle.

Thank you again and I hope you and your family have a very blessed Christmas and New Year.

[zouzi]

Hi Ali,
I am so sorry that your results were not as we hoped for, but(DCIS) is a very early and non-invasive carcinoma, where the cancer cells are confined to the ductal structures of the breast.The treatment you will be having is a normal standard procedure for this particular form of cancer.Before my surgery, I had an MRI test to make sure that nothing more was seen and also to confirm the pathology findings.I am sure that no one wishes more surprises with these tests,but if there is something else..( I  hope  not), we have to know about it so we can treat it as soon as it is found...in the end, this is always for our own benefit.DCIS is very common and most curable cancer with almost 100% rate of curability.I am not sure about your last question concerning the "A1 and A2 link cores" I think( and it's just a guess),that it has something to do with the samples taken when you had the biopsy but nothing to do with the diagnostic results.I understand your feelings of being stressed,but everything has to be taken one step at a time.Before I had my surgery I was very anxious and scared too,but once I had my surgery and started my treatments,I was relieved and I felt much better, thanks to the wonderful members on this Forum who encouraged and helped me get through it all .I wish you an uneventful surgery and a speedy recovery. Good LUCK Ali, and God Bless you.  

[Ali713]

Hi,

Me again.. Do you happen to know what A1-linked cores, A2-unlinked cores mean?

[Ali713]

Hi,

I received my results..Ductal carcinoma in situ, solid type, nuclear grade 2-3, microcalcifications and necrosis are present, no invasive carcinoma is seen. I will be going for an MRI to make sure there is nothing else then I will have a lumptectomy and partial radiation. Is this usually the correct way to go. I'm a little nervous about the MRI because I really don't want any more surprises. Do the MRI's usually go along with the pathology diagnosis? I guess I'm just a little stressed.

Thank you

[zouzi]

Good to know that the biopsy is over...You can apply some ice to lessen the bruising.Now the waiting for the results is quite stressing,but keep positive and optimistic.Wishing you a BENIGN result...God Bless.PS Thanks for letting me know:)

[Ali713]

I went for my biopsy yesturday. A liitle sore but not bad. I will let you know how I make out.

Thank you

[Ali713]

Hi,

Thank you so much. I feel much better. I am seeing the surgeon on Monday and then we'll go from there. I will keep you posted. Thanks again

[zouzi]

Hi,
Microcalcifications are normal developments in breast tissue.  Pleomorphic means that they do not look uniform.When microcalcifications appear clustered, there is some concern that they are developing around an area of abnormality.A BIRADS category 4 means that the calcification pattern is suspicious and a biopsy is recommended to make sure that there is no cancer "hiding" amongst the calcifications.The biopsy targets the calcifications and removes them.The tissue can then be analyzed.Many BIRADS score 4, return a benign finding even when the calcification is clustered.I hope that your pathology report will state that yours is BENIGN also.Please let us know about your results.Best wishes and GOOD LUCK.