Breast calcification

ZiaR

I just had a follow-up mammogram (diagnostic) to better determine my few spots of calcification. I was told that the test would take about 1hour and 1/2. However, after only 2 photos and only about 30 minutes, a doctor came back to talk to me about my results as he sees it. I was told that most are benign but the only way to know for sure is biopsy. It was up to me if I wanted to wait 6 months and re-test, or just have the surgery for biopsy. The fact that it only took 30-40 minutes alarmed me. Any thougts?

KathiM

Biopsy is the only way to make sure. I'm certain with all the 'marginal' testing that is in the news right now, including how the mammograms are really only a place to start, most doctors are wanting to make sure...sounds like yours is one.

I would go for the biopsy...I had a lump that was there for 10 years, mammogramed every year...finally, when I was having a PET scan for my colon cancer, that same lump 'lit up' as possible cancer....turned out not only to be cancer, but invasive, already in the nodes...sigh...If I had had a biopsy 2 years earlier, we could have caught it maybe before it got out into the nodes....
MY vote would be better safe than sorry....chemo/rads are VERY hard on the body...

Hugs, Kathi

LesleyH

Please follow Kathi's advice. Go for the biopsy. Please. Six months is way too long to wait.

Hugs.

Lesley

Susan956

Do the Biopsy. Typically it will only make you sore for a few days.. and it will give you peace of mind. It may be just fine... but to have the potential to let it grow for 6 months if it is cancer could make the difference between a fairly simple surgery and maybe radiation to the need to have Chemo.... So I would opt for the biopsy.

It may be nothing... but I would rather know than wait.

Take Care... God Bless...

Susan

ZiaR

Thank you all for your advice. I do want to be safer than sorry and want to have the biopsy. I had a benign cyst removed over 20 years ago, but for some reason, this time I'm worrying. Maybe because I'm older? wiser?
Thanks again

Sienna

ZiaR said:

Thank you all for your advice. I do want to be safer than sorry and want to have the biopsy. I had a benign cyst removed over 20 years ago, but for some reason, this time I'm worrying. Maybe because I'm older? wiser?
Thanks again

Have the biopsy, if I wouldn't have had one my breast cancer would have not shown up until it was to late. I also just had some calcification showing up on the mamogram. Well after the biopsy, the docter took three different ones, all had cancer. We caught it so early that having a bilateral mastectomy has taken care of the cancer.

cabbott

There happen to be different kinds of breast calcifications. I had the kind that are usually benign: small and solitary. However, with only two showing up, my local radiologist in my small town urged a biopsy and eventually(it took a series of atypical findings and multiple surgeries) I was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. This was actually a lucky event, because most radiologists would have never biopsied such calcifications. However, another friend of mine was biopsied when the same team urged her to get a biopsy. Later consultation with a breast specialist indicated that her biopsy should never have been done because she had macrocalcifications that indicate, not cancer, but arthritis of the breast. I'm glad my biopsy took place; she's unhappy her's happened. All that said and done, I'd suggest you talk to a breast oncologist surgeon in the best breast cancer center you can get to. You might save yourself needless worry and expense. You might save yourself time too, because they will be able to put you on the schedule faster if you have the biopsy with them. Your local hospital might be faster, but is that where you will get your best treatment if you have a problem?

cruf

cabbott said:

There happen to be different kinds of breast calcifications. I had the kind that are usually benign: small and solitary. However, with only two showing up, my local radiologist in my small town urged a biopsy and eventually(it took a series of atypical findings and multiple surgeries) I was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. This was actually a lucky event, because most radiologists would have never biopsied such calcifications. However, another friend of mine was biopsied when the same team urged her to get a biopsy. Later consultation with a breast specialist indicated that her biopsy should never have been done because she had macrocalcifications that indicate, not cancer, but arthritis of the breast. I'm glad my biopsy took place; she's unhappy her's happened. All that said and done, I'd suggest you talk to a breast oncologist surgeon in the best breast cancer center you can get to. You might save yourself needless worry and expense. You might save yourself time too, because they will be able to put you on the schedule faster if you have the biopsy with them. Your local hospital might be faster, but is that where you will get your best treatment if you have a problem?

Hi! I had microcalcifications which the radiologist felt concerned about. There is a pattern they look for and mine was concerning. I had the biopsy and it showed they were DCIS which is stage 0 non-invasive Breast cancer. I was told prior to the surgery that most of these biopsys are neg. but I was the lucky(?) one that was positive. I had a lumpectomy which showed more calcifications than what showed on the Mammo and ended up getting a mastectomy with immediate Tram Flap reconstruction as the margins weren't clear. For piece of mind, have a biopsy. Hopefully, you will be the lucky one and NOT have BC but it's better to check it out and know for sure. Good luck. Let us know what happens. HUGS!! Cathy