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clustered microcalcifications

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Posted 4/12/2013 8:14 PM (GMT 0)

Hi.  I'm 44 and just had my 5th mammo in March.  The radiologist saw something and I was called back for a diagnostic mammo on April 2nd.  He found a cluster of microcalcifications.  They were various sizes and density.  My doctor made me an appointment with a surgeon and I saw him on the 10th.  He wants to look at my old mammograms and may want to do an ultrasound.  He also thinks that I will need a biopsy.  I was told by both the radiologist and the surgeon that about 80% of these findings turn out to be benign, but I am still very anxious about the results.  The thing that worries me most is that the cluster of microcalcifications had maybe 15-20 calcifications and they were all different sizes and densities.  I'm trying to stay positive and focus on the fact that most of these turn out to be benign.  I'm just so frustrated with the waiting.  I had all of my other mammos at a different clinic.  I thought the results had been sent over, but apparently they haven't and the surgeon is waiting to look at them before we decide what to do.  I guess this is more of a vent than a question.  I just haven't been able to talk to anyone but my husband about this.  My dad is in the hospital and I don't want to worry my mom and sisters if I don't have to.  I guess I was just wondering if others had been through this and how you handled the waiting.

Posted 4/15/2013 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. I know exactly how you feel. I'm 52 had my first mammo in oct 2012. Thought nothing of this my very first recall - one week later I received a letter to say I had to return to clinic because of something the radiologist had seen. One week later I returned to be told I had two areas of which could be micro calcifications. One week later returned for core biopsy on two area very scared did not know what to expect. This went ok had to wait another week for a telephone call to be told one area was abnormal and return for a vacuum assisted biopsy. Again returned one week later for this procedure. Did not know what to expect my husband came with me & had the procedure done. One week later received telephone to say this cluster is abnormal had to be referred to breast surgeon who tried to reassure me and placed me on yearly recalls. I know how you must feel. Because it was my first mammo they don't know how long they been there. Abnormal what's abnormal I feel like a time bomb waiting to go off. Like you find it very hard to talk to people. Sometimes feel on my own but I know there is other people out there just the same as me. I wish you luck and hope all goes well for you. Take care - thank you for listening to me.
Posted 4/15/2013 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for posting. It is good to know there are others out there. I am trying to stay positive, but the waiting is killing me. This wasn't my first mammo, but I had to go to a new hospital to do this mammo as the technician at the other hospital who did my previous mammos has retired and they haven't replaced her yet. If they are going to do a biopsy I just want to get it over with. I'm not really sure why they need to do an ultrasound. It sounds like it has been the same for you as far as doing something then waiting a week then doing something else. I hate the wait and see but it sounds like if your surgeon put you on yearly recalls then that good. I hope you. And thanks for listening to me too.
Posted 4/15/2013 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
The ultrasound normally to check your lymph nodes. The waiting time is dreadful. I know I should be positive but my head tells me different. Hope all goes well - let us know how you get on. Good luck.
Posted 4/19/2013 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
The surgeon finally was able to look at my old films and siad that the micro calcs were definitely new. He said that ultrasound won't help because there is no mass with the MCs. He wants to do a biopsy next. He siad that we can either do a stereotactic biopsy or a wire guided excisional biopsy. The problem is that they don't do the stereotactic biopsies here because they don't have the equipment to do it so if we go that route he will have to refer me to someone in Ft. Worth and I'll have to go there which is about 2 hourss away from where I live. He said he can do the wire guided procedure. I'd really like to hear from someone who has had one or both of these procedures done. Right now I am kind of leaning toward the wire guided because I just don't really want to have to go to yet another doctor and wait for them to check all the records and do all their test. I just want to get this over with. I am trying to be positive because they say that about 80% of these biopsies come back benign. But I just want to know one way or the other.
Posted 4/24/2013 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. Yeah I've had both but I suppose I was lucky enough they did all my procedures @ my breast clinic where I live. The stereo biopsy is bit more in depth then the wire - core biopsy. Mine came back inconclusive abnormal micro -calcifications. Just have to hope I don't have any changes @ next mammo. I do wish you luck and hope all goes well.
Posted 5/18/2013 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Just wondering if anyone had any problems with their breast after having core biopsy then 7days a stereo biopsy. Mine has a dull ache all the time - some days worse then others - also lifting anything heavy in my left arm very painful. Is it just trauma to the breast or what ?????. By the way had this done six months ago. Should I still ache ?
Posted 7/14/2013 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
 

I had a wire biopsy done in jan and they found micro calcifications, everything non cancerous. I went for my 6 month mammogram and again they found more calcifications. I had another biopsy done this pass week and will find out the results on tues. I'm not so worried about the results, it's doing anther mammogram in 6 months!!!

Posted 7/15/2013 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm new to this site but interested to hear about other's experiences. I had a recall last week from my routine mammogram (the first ever recall), although I have previously had 2 breast cysts drained in the left breast. However, they have found 2 clusters of micro calcifications in my right breast. I had a magnified mammogram, then an ultrasound, and after a short wait, a vacuum assisted biopsy, which I wasn't expecting. Unfortunately they hit a blood vessel and had trouble stopping the bleeding, so after an anxious week I have been told today that they didn't get any results because of this. I have another appointment next week for a needle biopsy which I hope will bring results. Although my consultant says I should not worry if it doesn't, as they will arrange for a mammogram next year just to keep an eye on it.

I am trying not to worry too much about it but can't rest until I have a conclusive result. But like a lot of people on here, it's the waiting that gets to you.
Posted 7/16/2013 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi chuckee54. I know how you feel playing the waiting game. Like you mine was my first recall thought nothing of having a mamo all of a sudden my life was turned upside down. I'm 8mths down the line from having core biospy then vacuum assisted biopsy like you they had a job of stopping the bleeding left me with a very bruised breast. My left breast still aches can't lift heavy objects. Next mammo in November just have to pray no changes if their are have to go through the whole procedure again. Don't know if I could do that again.
I wish you luck.
Posted 7/16/2013 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Eastender, thanks for replying. I'm surprised that you also had the same problem with bleeding, as my consultant said it was very rare for that to happen. And yes, I also have a very bruised breast which is why I have to wait till next week for another biopsy. I don't know whether I've done the right thing by researching this condition or not, because on the one hand I'm very grateful to the hospital for being so vigilant, but then on the other, I'm now also aware of what lies ahead if there is anything suspicious there, and that frightens me. Just to think that only a few weeks ago I had never even heard of micro calcifications - now I feel that I know too much! Anyway thanks for the best wishes and good luck to you too in November.
Posted 7/21/2013 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Like you never heard of them before - then all of sudden I have two areas of cluster micro calcifications larger one is benign smaller cluster abnormal. Researching isn't good thing but we all do it. Good luck next week. Chin up
Posted 7/22/2013 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thankyou for that, will let you know how I get on. Keeping my chins up! wink
Posted 8/1/2013 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
Its been such a whorlwind! Got my first mammogram(42 cause everything happens to me!) had to get another two days later, now a biopsy. You know as soon as they say they find something, your mind goes right to cancer. I'm not afraid of losing the girls or my hair, I'm afraid of how hard chemo seems. I don't have the best immune system and I'm afraid that I'm not going to be physically strong enough to pull through.
Do you ALWAYS have to go through chemo?
Any info would be great, seems that once its diagnosed, it goes really fast. Nervous...
Posted 8/2/2013 9:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Eastender, just want to report that after 2 biopsies, and what seemed like a lifetime waiting, my results have come back as normal and I will just need to have my regular mammogram in 3 years time. Pheww! :) I have to say that after a lot of research into micro calcifications, I was convinced that I would have to have surgery at the very least. So I would like to say to anyone in the same position, that everyone's case is different and although it's hard not to think the worse, as I did, that it doesn't always have to be the case. The main thing to focus on, is that if there is anything wrong then it will be caught early, which can only be a good thing.

Good luck and best wishes to everyone on this forum xx
Posted 8/3/2013 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi chuckee54, I am so pleased for you I've been thinking of you - best news I've had today. Hopefully my abnormal breast will show no more changes in November - I can only hope. Good luck take care.
Posted 8/3/2013 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thankyou Eastender, wishing you all the very best for November, keep positive and take care x x
Posted 5/13/2014 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
: HI
All like to put everyone mind to rest if there having a biopsy, just had one this afternoon, got clustered califcations on right boob at front, Had mammagram few weeks back because I had odd wart like spot on left boob, well they also gave me altra scan that was fine had a blockage duct. Then follow up had mammagram on both boobs, after that got letter saying had to go back, so went back for another mammagranm on right, reason being; told me why was due to these calcium things, said if don, t hear from them not to worry

Well had letter saying had go back to hospital for biospy for further tests. My thoughts was going in my head of Dread the thought cutting my boob, saw video exspected the worsed,, seeing needle giant !! needle, but was nothing just slight sting and clinking sounds was comfortable layed on side Doctor managed to get 2 calcium specimens and i will be seeing breast surgeon next week for results. Hoping they are not cancerious but if they are better catch them now than later, biopsy was not painfull as all numbed up and never saw giant needle just thing look like a ink stamp.

Post Edited (clairhit) : 5/13/2014 12:30:08 PM (GMT-6)

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