what if microcalcifications are not benign?

[annie5000]

I had lumpectomy on right breast for cancer followed by chemo, radiation and arimidex. This ws all in 2008.  Now they say per my mammogram that i has suspicious calcifications small but in 2 site same breast near the lumpectomy scar site.  They are scheduling a biopsy for Monday.  If the news is bad will I have to go thru surgery, chemo and radiation again?  can they do radiation again on same breast?

[ncmichigan]

I know it's VERY hard, especially as a cancer survivor, to not think the worst when something else shows up. Microcalicifications can be an indication of some benign changes, too. I just wanted to say please try to stay positive and hope for the best. Bluebutterfly once said, "Hope for the best but prepare for the worst" to another woman on the forum, and I think that was excellent advice. You've dealt with cancer once before, so you know you're strong enough to fight it again if you have to.
I hope you have an easy biopsy experience and the results are benign. We'll be thinking of you and hoping for the best, too!
Sending you a big hug from Michigan,
nc

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi,

I hope everything turns out okay related to your upcoming biopsy!

"If it is bad new again"  though, the treatment plan would be recommended by your treatment team, based on a full evaluation of your case,including whether there is any sign of disease spread.
.
As a rule, radiation is not repeated. However,  an article,  "Re-surgery and chest wall re-irradiation for recurrent breast cancer- -a second curative approach," in the BMC Cancer journal, reported on a research study which found that this was feasible under certain conditions.(Keep in mind however that this was reasearch, and in clinical practice repeat radiation is a rarely used treatment strategy that must be performed with caution.)

If you don't mind, please update us by adding a comment to this same thread, when you get your biopsy results--we care!

Wishing you all the best,
bluebutterfly