Highly Suspicious Microcalcifications

[dianeS569]

I recently had my second mammogram of my life ( I am 42 next week) and on this one there was a finding of "highly suspicious for microcalcification clusters"  With a recommendation of further imaging for evaluation. I go for that tomorrow afternoon.  In the mean time i am researching all I can on Microcalcifications and I am really scared despite the higher possibility ( and probability) that they are benign.  My question is this... if they tell me they feel they are benign calcifications, should I have a biopsy done anyway? I'm feeling like I want a guarantee of benign and not a 'well they look benign'....

Thanks for your help/suggestions..

~diane

[zouzi]

Hi again and congratulations!
Yes you have a good report results.
Category 2 means Benign, breasts are same size and shape and tissue looks normal. Any cysts, fibroadenomas, or other finding appear benign.
I am very glad for you and thank you for updating us .:)

[dianeS569]

Thank you for your response!  I went in earlier than planned thanks to working at the hospital where the test was being done-- and a cancellation!   On magnification, they feel the calcifications are Benign -Catagory 2 ?   and told me to follow up in 6 mos. I think I am ok with that... The Radiologist was very thorough and explained everything he was seeing.. Thanks for the support....

[zouzi]

Hi.
Radiologists are quite able to identify typically benign breast calcifications depending on their form and pattern.If no suspicion is detected a biopsy is not required to prevent unnecessary procedures.
However,if your next  mammogram report states that the calcification is "probably benign" and a short-interval follow-up is suggested,you could certainly discuss with your treating doctor or radiologist that you prefer to have the area of calcification biopsied since you wouldn't be comfortable waiting till your next mammogram.( check your report or call the radiologist to find out about your BIRADS score)
The BIRADS score,go from 0 to 5 and this terminology is used by radiologists to describe mammography findings.The higher the score,the more suspicious the calcifications are.
Microcalcifications that grow in a cluster are of course suspicious because they sometimes cluster around a mass that may indicate that there is an abnormal growth in the area.In this case, it is proper to proceed with a biopsy since it's the only way to find out if cancer is present.As you have correctly stated, many biopsies done on clustered calcification return a benign finding.
Best wishes and good luck tomorrow.