Microcalcifications In A Cluster

I've always had yearly mammogram results that were normal, nothing suspicious.  Microcalcifications in a cluster were found on my most recent mammogram.  I was called back in a few days later for a diagnostic mammogram.  The radiologist met with me , discussed the mammos & set me up for a stereotactic core needle biopsy scheduled a couple days from now.  The radiologist said that his findings thus far indicate a 30% chance of breast cancer.  My questions are, if this is not an indication of breast cancer, then what else could it be?  The radiologist hasn't taken a wait & see in 6 months approach, but has jumped straight to the biopsy.  Moving so fast has me frightened.  Does this pace seem usual?  I am a 20 year ovarian cancer survivor.

There is a correlation between ovarian cancer and breast cancer.  I too had microcalcifications for a period and then on one of my mammos they appeared as a cluster and starting increasing in number.  The radiologist told me even though there was a cluster if he looked at each calicification individually they had defined borders so there was only a slight chance of it representing a malignancy (10%) he quoted.  Well what was going on was the cluster was forming around a small tumor (4mm) and if it weren't for that cluster it would have gone at least to my next mammo as it was not palpable, unless it became palpable before then in which case it would have been larger.  It was stage 1at that point and my lymph nodes were clear.  Your radiologist is doing you justice by making sure it doesn't represent a breast cancer.  Even it turns out to be benign or indeterminate you should be followed closely.  Good luck!

 

On 5/27/2008 greenasagourd wrote:

I've always had yearly mammogram results that were normal, nothing suspicious.  Microcalcifications in a cluster were found on my most recent mammogram.  I was called back in a few days later for a diagnostic mammogram.  The radiologist met with me , discussed the mammos & set me up for a stereotactic core needle biopsy scheduled a couple days from now.  The radiologist said that his findings thus far indicate a 30% chance of breast cancer.  My questions are, if this is not an indication of breast cancer, then what else could it be?  The radiologist hasn't taken a wait & see in 6 months approach, but has jumped straight to the biopsy.  Moving so fast has me frightened.  Does this pace seem usual?  I am a 20 year ovarian cancer survivor.

I had microcalcifications in a cluster four years ago, subsequent stereotactic biopsy determined they were indicative of DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ, a pre-cancerous condition that is treated like cancer and sometimes referred to as Stage 0 breast cancer.)  I had a simple mastectomy, which was not particularly difficult, and subsequent reconstruction and am pleased with the results.  Three years later I was diagnosed w/ fallopian tube cancer that unfortunately was Stage IIIC, I had two rounds of chemo and am now either in remission or cancer free.  I was genetically tested, found to be carrying the BRCA2 mutation, and will have the other breast off this summer.  In my opinion the calcifications are a blessing--they can indicate very early breast cancer at a time where there is no "lump" to feel and enable you to go after it.  Since you are an ovarian cancer survivor, have you considered getting genetic testing?  Hang in there, I will be praying for you.  Carol

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Thank you very much for your replies.  My biopsy is tomorrow & of course, I am nervous.  I'm very anxious for the results.  I am glad the radiologist is moving my testing along swiftly.  I believe even if the cells are found to be benign, I'll still be wondering what's forming in my breast.  I expect more frequent mammos will be required at the very least.  It feels like deja vu with my ovarian cancer where I went through many problems for years before the cancer really showed up.

I have had health problems throughout most of my life.  I had seizures & psoriasis as a child.  Out grew that when puberty hit, very late puberty by the way, & then all my reproductive system problems began.  I had irregular periods, had to have a D&C for hemorrhaging, had to have my fallopian tubes removed due to a rare infection of an unknown source, I had a polycystic ovary, etc., etc.  I dreaded going to the gyno as to what would be found next.  I also tried invitro fertilization when it was very new & it failed.  Finally, I had an enlarged uterus & upon surgery the encapsulated granulosa cell tumor was found on my ovary.  What was left of my reproductive system was removed as this was the most likely place for the cancer to return.  That type of ovarian cancer is rare & I was told it was unlikely to return in my case.  No chemo or radiation required.  However, when it does return the recurrence often is years or decades later.  The lung is the most likely place, not the breast.  Yet, there is a slight increase in breast cancer after having this type tumor.

I have been well for 20 years now.  I believed removing my faulty repro system was the answer.  I was well over the worrying about it.  I have been taking estrogen (only) all that time to ward off osteoporosis.  That was the standard until just the last few years -- too late for me to reconsider that option.  I do believe the estrogen was a benefit to me in some ways, but now wonder if my breast changes are not a result of that.  Possibly.

My mom took anti-miscarriage drugs when pregnant with me.  She took them for 3 out of 4 children.  Thank goodness she did or we most likely wouldn't be here at all.  She had many miscarriages prior.  My sister has had a few repro problems too.  Only my oldest bro, her first child, was not exposed to these drugs.  This could have led to my health problems.  Again, possibly.

That oldest bro (no drugs during Mom's pregnancy) had 4 children with his first wife & 2 had cancer under age 5.  Their cancers of the sphincter muscle were identical.  He had 2 children with his second wife & 1 child had a brain tumor under age 5.  My bro really went through the wringer.  Ironically, he is a doctor so that helped his knowledge base.  All those kids underwent chemo & radiation.  SO THANKFULLY, all those children survived & are now in their 20's.  Only one has lingering health problems due to the radiation aimed at his head.  He's had the roughest time out of all of us.  So yes, I do believe something genetically has gone wrong.  None of us have had genetic testing for insurance reasons.  If you test positive for mutations, it can be considered a pre-existing condition & future cancer conditions may not be covered.  My bro the doc suspects mutations in the p-53 gene, but we prefer not to risk the testing.

Odd, I had the very first cancer in my family history followed by my bro's kids.  Just recently, my aunt had invasive breast cancer & died at age 77.  Her younger sister had a lumpectomy, but it was benign.  Mom, Dad, grandparents never had cancer.  Mom died at age 80 from other causes.  Dad is 86 & extremely healthy.  His mom lived into her 90's.  So, who knows what's really going on here?  I drive myself crazy thinking about it sometimes, but in the end just chalk it up to fate.  I can't change it no matter what the cause.

One more thought, once cancer is found, I am a believer of surgery to completely remove the organs that can be invaded by cancer if at all possible.  If cancer is found in one of my breasts, I very possibly will have both breasts removed if insurance will allow.  My breasts are not necessary for living & why take a chance for future invasion in the most likely place.  Any thoughts on this?  I hope to avoid chemo & radiation if at all possible.

Sending good vibes to all you cancer survivors & care takers.  May we all find success with our treatments & continued research.  My sister participates in the 3 Day Walk for a Cure.

You're not alone in your personal medical history.  Sounds familiar to mine.  I had GYN problems from day one of my cycle with heavy periods, unbelievable clotting that after several D&C (done then) and uterine biopsies, had an ovarian cyst that ruptured that revealed endometriosis that went undiagnosed even though I mentioned to my GYN on more than one occasion that an older sister had it.  A year after that I had to have a total hysterectomy because of abnormal ultrasounds.  Turned out I had a couple conditions that could eventually turn cancerous but it was a blessing the ruptured occured so everything has been gone for over 12 years.  I was also diagnosed with melanoma and had extensive surgery on my arm with graft and removal of about 30+ lymph nodes when I was 21.  A first cousin died at age 20 from melanoma.  I have had a host of other problems including BC diagnosed almost 5 years ago and thyroid cancer a year ago.  No familar history of either and genetic testing for BRAC l & 2 and some other syndromes were negative.  I was on estrogen only, for 10 years and stopped just months prior to my diagnosis of BC after hearing about a strong link.  I feel it definitely played a role.  I was also exposed to chest x-rays over 30 years ago which were not as refined as today's, actually I had about 8 or so exposure in an 18 month period. Some I've talked to say this may have damaged the DNA at such a young age.  A genetic counselor explained that some people may have one damaged match of a cell which could be inherited.  If the second copy due to enviornment or other exposures becomes damaged as well, cancer can begin and cells may no longer have the ability to keep from reproducing abnormally.  We need healthy matching copies to produce healthy reproduction of cells.  We probaly will never know unless a mutation is revealed in the genes as to what we may be predisposed to and what other component is all that is needed to start the process.  We seek to understand somehow as if it would change things, not for us, but maybe for our children.  I sought a lumpectomy with radiation with my stage l BC and had reconstructive surgery in the form of implants a year after finishing radiation.  I also take Femara and I'm fortunate to have tolerated well thus far.  As of my last check, up, Jan. 08, all is quiet, now if I can also get my thyroid cancer in check, and my hearing and pulsatile tinnitus, oh well....just have to take one day at a time.  I just tell doctors and others that I was put together wrong.

I too was diagnosed with Ductal Cancer.I thank God that my doctor did not follow the radiologist recommendation,which was to wait 3 months and repeat the mammogram.I had a left mastectomy because the calcifications extended into the nipple.If I had waited 3 months it would have been invasive cancer and I would have required chemo and radiation.

My biopsy reports came back benign!!!  I am so relieved & blessed.  We'll step up the mammos & keep a watch on it, but that's all that's required for now.

Thanks to all that replied & gave me info & support.  May all that visit this forum find the support they need as well.  I'll be praying for all of you & your health.

Well, I spoke too soon.  The day after I wrote about my benign preliminary biopsy report, my final report came back the with precancerous ADH.  Yes, it's benign for now, but treatment will be needed to ward off invasive cancer.  The pathology report starts off with "This is an interesting case ..." -- not what I wanted to read.  I'm scheduled for a sectional biopsy in a week for a golf ball sized tissue sample.  Went to the gyno, went to the surgeon & a swollen lymph node was found too.  Now I'm scheduled for an MRI before the biopsy for a better look at the node & the breast.  Hopefully, the lymph node is inflammed from my first biopsy.  Hopefully the second biopsy will show nothing more than ADH.  If the next pathology report comes back with only ADH, I'll probably be put on the medication Evista & can forego radiation.  I'm thankful there is a new alternative.  If the path report shows something worse, well, ...!  I'll see a gyno/oncologist when I get the results.  This sure is a roller coaster ride!

 I've learned a lot online, but reading about personal experiences here has also helped me.  Thanks!