stereotactic biopsy needed

[beacon800]

I just had my mammo (digital) and the radiologist noted that I have more calcifications than I used to have.  She wants to do a sterotactic biopsy and I am wondering if this is difficult to do as I have small breasts and from what i can see, the calcifications are nearby the chest rather than nearby the nipple.  

Is it difficult to do this type of biopsy on small breasted women?

[iam1butterfly]

According to the surgeon who performed my 2005 surgical biopsy, it's unknown as to why some women develop theses calcifications. What he did assure me of is that they are rarely, if ever cancerous. However, they are an abnormality that may suggest that something abnormal is triggering their growth within the surrounding breast tissue. So, that's why doctors and technicians take special note whenever, and the manner in which, the calcifications appear (ie. clustering).
As for Fibrocysistic Disease of the Breast. I have that too. It's a dense lumpiness that makes the viewing of mammograms difficult. My family doctor said that over 30% of the female population has some form of fibrous breast tissue. He felt that the development of breast density is probably linked to hereditary factors.
As for cysts, it's my understanding that they are usually benign in nature. But, they are another abnormality which should be monitored for changes.

[beacon800]

I had some calcifications that were there for about 5 years and had no changes, so the radiologist looks at them each mammo (with magnifications).  This past time she said they were more so she wanted biopsy.

I did not have the presence of mind to ask if they were clustered or what about them made her want the biopsy.  Maybe I can call on this.

I do have a family history as my mom died from breast cancer, so I am closely watched.

Does anyone know what causes the calcifications besides cancer?  I have quite dense breast and subject to fibrocyctic disease.  I get many cysts, especially in the breast that shows the calcs.

[iam1butterfly]

I could be wrong but, I don't think that the breast size is a significant factor.
In 2005, my micro-calcifications were deemed to be in an awkward location... so much so, that the stereotactic process could not be performed... I wound out having a surgical biopsy of the cluster. More calcifications were found in 2007. Those were biopsied via the stereotactic (needle) approach... even though they were in almost the exact location as the first ones. So, there are options to performing biopsies, regardless of breast size.

[andi721]

I just had one and I have small breasts.  Also had it done for calcifications.  Is is a cluster calc or spread out?  Clusters are more suspicious than spread out ones.  And, calcs can be anywhere in the breast.  It is not difficult to do a biopsy when you are face down and the breast comes through a hole in the table. I was a 32 a/b and they were able to do it.  If not, they will do it with you lying down.  I would check with a breast surgeon before going through this biopsy or another radiologist opinion b/c the biopsy is not fun and can cause a lot of bruising.  Only cluster calcs that stay clusters on magnification and have strange shapes are suspicious.  Do you have a family history?