Macro-calcifications

[shoppingjan]

I have very dense breasts and recently had a mammograms that showed an increase in the number of Macro-calcifications in both breasts.  The radiologist ordered another mammogram in 6 months.  I spoke with my gyno the same day and he said I might want to take my x-rays to a surgeon if I wanted more information.  I have made an appointment for Oct. 14th to do that.  I don't feel comfortable waiting another 6 months for a comparison test.
   I am 52 and post menopausal, taking very low dose HRT.  
Anyone had a similiar experience? Knowledge of macro-calcifications? From what I've read micro-calcifications are of more concern.
   Thanks for any information on this.  I'm not sure how the answers post, but you can also email me directly at ***@****

[bluebutterfly2222]

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bb

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi,

Here are links to two good articles about calcifications. One is a discussion of breast calcifications of all types, and the other deals with benign calcifcations.

http://www.targetwoman.com/articles/breast-calcification.html


http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/347066-overview

As you will see, there are many types of benign calcifications, as well as some types and patterns that are more suggestive of an abnormality.  If yours were of the more  suspicious variety, quite likely the radiologist would have labeled your mammogram a BI-RADS 4, and recommended a biopsy. Otherwise, short-term follow-up is the usual recommendation.

However, if  it makes you feel more comfortable, it's certainly your right to have a consultation with a surgeon. Another possibility would be to have a 2nd opinion on your images by having them read  by another radiologist.
MRIs can also be useful when someone has very dense breast tissue.

Best wishes,
bluebutterfly