cluster of microcalcifications benign?

[corkey11]

i would like to know if anyone has ever had a biopsy result from a birad 4 (suspicous) mammo report cluster calcifications that was benign. everyone on this website who had cluster microcalcifications on mammo all seem to have had an outcome of cancer, even though they say that 80 percent are benign. the more i read on this i get more terrified.

[Bet63]

I'm not really sure of the cause of my microcalc's. My pathology included apocrine metaplasia, fibrosis, multiple cyts and hyalinazation. All aparently benign conditions. I have dense breasts and in all have had 6 surgical biospsies all of which have been benign. Three of these were fibroadenomas. Due to my family history I keep a close eye on any changes in my breasts. From what I understand the way the cluster is formed can be a clue as to the probability of it being benign or cancerous. Here is a site that I found interesting on mammo's and how they're interperated.
http://sprojects.mmi.mcgill.ca/mammography/mammoanalysis.htm

Have you had the biopsy yet? It's important to Ask Questions! They will not usually volunteer information but be persistant until you are sure you understand everything they are saying.
Good Luck and keep us posted.
Bet

[corkey11]

i am scheduled to have the biopsy on oct 5. i am terrified . i know they have to do the wire local first then the biopsy. my surgeon said he would do the biopsy with a local and i am guessing some sort of iv drug to make me drowsy. (i hope). when you had your biopsys did you have wire local also. and honestly how painful was it? were you under general or local for your biopsy and how was that? i'm sorry for all the questions. i have fibrocystic breasts and am just hoping the calcifications are benign changes. i am only 47 and the thought of all of this is just to much to bear. i can't even think about radiation and tamoxifen, or even all the biopsys that you have had.

[corkey11]

my god. tamoxifen sounds like a horror. i am 47 premenopausal and like you my period is like clockwork. i hope i don;t have to make the decision of taking tamoxifen. thanks for all your support. it helps to talk to people who have been there.

[Bet63]

I did have the wire localization with my 2 of my biopsies. That portion is like a regular mammo except you need to stay very still for longer. They insert the wire(which is actually a thin needle with the wire inside it) That was not terribly painful. They did give a shot of lidocaine to the area first) I had IV meds to make me sleep, I think they call it twilight sleep. You are asleep but not as deep as general anesthetic. After the biopsy there was some bruising and some pain. I think I was prescribed Tylenol 3 for pain and didn't use it all. I was sore for a couple of weeks but then it depends on you activity level too. I overdid and paid for it with more pain. Its not as scary as it sounds. Try to stay calm. The worst part is waiting for the path results. That will probably drive you insane if you let it.
I am 42 and also have dense breasts. You are doing the right thing by having the biopsy. I hope you get good results as I did. Let me know how it goes. I know what you're going through and am here to listen or answer any questions I can for you. This board was a godsend for me.
Bet

[troyryans]

While the tamoxifen has effected me in a number of ways, please remember that others have not had the same side effects. I know of a couple people who have hardly noticed any changes at all, while two friends complain primarily of hot flashes and weight gain. The long I am on the tamoxifen and with my body adjusting to the medication, the side effects are not as severe. Everyone handles tamoxifen differently.

I also have had three wire localizations, which were painful but not unbearable. Just continue to ask for pain meds as needed...don't be afraid to ask! Two of my biopsies were under generals...deep sleep for me! I chose not to be awake, even under twilight sleep. I was too anxious and preferred to just be unaware of the surgery itself.

Good luck in October.  We will be thinking of you, and hoping that everything is "fine and benign". Feel free to stay in touch...this is a wonderful group of people.

Kathy

[corkey11]

thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. please say a prayer for me . i will keep in touch and let you know how i make out.   thanks again.