Aa
incisional biopsy
My mamogram showed a microcalcification cluster and was called back to radiologist for more views. Although everyone there said that this is common more than not for a call back I was still concerned and they may also need to do a sonogram. After the doctor looked at the mamo he said that there was no need for a sonogram but he would like me to have an insisional or excisional biopsy. He assured me again that more times than not these things come back benign. I think everyone is trying to remain optomistic but my gut is concerned. Why would you suggest such an extreme biopsy if they were certain more than not it was a benign condition. I am freaking out. This comes on the heals of me finding out I have an ovarian cyst and endometiral polyp and still wating for an MRI approval. I feel like I am drowning.
Hi again,
Sorry that I used an unfamiliar term without explaining it:
BIRADS is a standardized system used by radiologists to communicate the level of suspicion of their findings:
Category 0 -- Incomplete
Your mammogram or ultrasound didn't give the radiologist enough information to make a clear diagnosis. Don't worry, this may mean that scar tissue from a previous surgery or biopsy may have shown up, or that a lump that is big enough to be easily felt isn't imaging clearly. You will need to have a follow-up image done.
Category 1 -- Normal
There are no suspicious masses or calcifications to report; tissue looks healthy.
Category 2 -- Benign or Negative
Breasts are same size and shape and tissue looks normal. Any cysts, fibroadenomas, or other masses appear benign.
Category 3 -- Probably Benign
There are no suspicious lesions, masses, or calcifications to report, but follow-up to confirm that no cancer exists is recommended. This may be needed if your radiologist does not have your baseline or previous mammogram for comparison.
Category 4 -- Possibly Malignant
There are some suspicious lesions, masses, or calcifications to report; a biopsy is recommended to check the suspicious area.
Category 5 -- Malignant
There are masses with an appearance of cancer. A biopsy is recommended to make an accurate diagnosis.
Category 6 -- Malignant Tissue from a biopsy has been examined and found to be cancerous, and treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation is required.
If the poster has gotten a report with this information included, it helps us give better answers because it gives an idea both on the level of suspicion and the recommendation, if any, for follow-up.
Please keep us posted regarding how your biopsy, and the other tests you are undergoing, turn our--we care!
Best wishes...
Sorry that I used an unfamiliar term without explaining it:
BIRADS is a standardized system used by radiologists to communicate the level of suspicion of their findings:
Category 0 -- Incomplete
Your mammogram or ultrasound didn't give the radiologist enough information to make a clear diagnosis. Don't worry, this may mean that scar tissue from a previous surgery or biopsy may have shown up, or that a lump that is big enough to be easily felt isn't imaging clearly. You will need to have a follow-up image done.
Category 1 -- Normal
There are no suspicious masses or calcifications to report; tissue looks healthy.
Category 2 -- Benign or Negative
Breasts are same size and shape and tissue looks normal. Any cysts, fibroadenomas, or other masses appear benign.
Category 3 -- Probably Benign
There are no suspicious lesions, masses, or calcifications to report, but follow-up to confirm that no cancer exists is recommended. This may be needed if your radiologist does not have your baseline or previous mammogram for comparison.
Category 4 -- Possibly Malignant
There are some suspicious lesions, masses, or calcifications to report; a biopsy is recommended to check the suspicious area.
Category 5 -- Malignant
There are masses with an appearance of cancer. A biopsy is recommended to make an accurate diagnosis.
Category 6 -- Malignant Tissue from a biopsy has been examined and found to be cancerous, and treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation is required.
If the poster has gotten a report with this information included, it helps us give better answers because it gives an idea both on the level of suspicion and the recommendation, if any, for follow-up.
Please keep us posted regarding how your biopsy, and the other tests you are undergoing, turn our--we care!
Best wishes...
Thank you for your encouragement and knowledge. I'm trying to take one moment at a time.
Thank you for your knowledge. I'm not sure what the bi rads are. The radiologist reviewed the views and the verbally told me that there was no need for an ultrasound. But that he will be recommending to my gyn for the biopsy and she will get the full report. He did seem optimistic But I could not tell if that was not to alarm me.
hang in there islandgrl... I've drowned a few times, myself... in that sea of uncertainty.
The pathology from a biopsy is the only definitive way to know the origin of the cals. But, if it's any comfort to you, you may want to keep in mind that, statistically...micro-cals are rarely found to be cancerous. And, the fact that your doctor is recommending an excisional/ surgical biopsy may have more to due with the location of the micro-cals; and not necessarily the seriousness of the cals.
tc, "i"
The pathology from a biopsy is the only definitive way to know the origin of the cals. But, if it's any comfort to you, you may want to keep in mind that, statistically...micro-cals are rarely found to be cancerous. And, the fact that your doctor is recommending an excisional/ surgical biopsy may have more to due with the location of the micro-cals; and not necessarily the seriousness of the cals.
tc, "i"
Do you know if a BI-RADS Category was included in you mammogram report? This would give some idea of the level of suspicion associated with the findings.
It's true more biopsies for microcalcs come back negative than positive, but even if the microcalcs are signaling a pre-cancerous or cancerous lesion in the area, it would likely be at an early, treatable stage.
I'm going to provide the link to a previous thread about microcalcifications, in case you would like to learn more about them:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Breast-Cancer/Microcalcifications---just-wondering/show/1443586
Best wishes...
It's true more biopsies for microcalcs come back negative than positive, but even if the microcalcs are signaling a pre-cancerous or cancerous lesion in the area, it would likely be at an early, treatable stage.
I'm going to provide the link to a previous thread about microcalcifications, in case you would like to learn more about them:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Breast-Cancer/Microcalcifications---just-wondering/show/1443586
Best wishes...
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