Microcalcifications found

Hi, I'm new on this post.  My mammo revealed group of microcalcifications on right breast Wed.  Looked like a group of 7-8 mini-dots.  New occurrance since last year's mammo.  14 years ago I had a small pea-size lump removed on same breast, which was benign.  Sister was diagnosed with BC age at 57 nine years ago.  I am 52.

Have an appt with breast surgeon 11/28 to discuss finding.  Radiologist said they'd probably do a needle biopsy, but thinks the microcalcifications would be benign.  I totally agree that I should have the biopsy, but am wondering if I should request the removal of these 'dots' now.  I'm not the type to wait around and would rather these be gone from my body now that we know they are there instead of fretting about possible development into something more... especially with a family history of BC.

Thoughts?  Experiences?  Many thanks!

My sister is doing fine; although communication is not great about her cancer b/c she has always refused to talk about it... even to her own adult daughters!

Guess I'm a bit confused by your reply, MK. Are you saying that a needle biopsy is good as a first step b/c if it is cancer, then plans for reconstruction can be made when a mastectomy is scheduled?

But if the findings are benign after the needle biopsy, I'd still have the microcalcifications in my body. And for me, no matter what the findings, I'd want them removed. I'd worry if I didn't have them removed.

I'll get a lot of answers Wed. from the breast surgeon, but thanks for responding so I can arm myself with the right questions to ask!

After spending lots of time reading other posts here, I called and got the radiologist's report this afternoon. It confirms a "cluster of calcifications, which are regarded as suspicious for neoplasm. Stereotactic core biopsy is recommended."

Question: From my understanding after researching this type of biopsy, I'm not sure this core needle will vacuum out all the questionable cells. If I want to be sure there is no doubt they get all the suspicious cells, shouldn't I ask for a type of biopsy where they cut and remove everything around the cluster?

Thanks for all the advice. I just want to be armed with all the knowledge and questions for the breast surgeon when I go this Wed.

TigerFan, I am very happy to hear you are having it removed!! Let us know how it goes, ok? Sending good thoughts to you!
Gail

Probably most microcalcifications are benign, just like 80% of lumps are benign, but I always would want to be sure. I agree with MK if you can get it totally removed, do it. You'll then know FOR SURE. Let us know what goes on, OK rhath?
Gail

Hello went and had biopsy done everything went well all benign.

tigerfan, how are you? I hope all benign and you are well.

With my clustered microcalcifications, I removed all the calcification area (all the few dots) usingreotactic vacuum-assisted percutaneous breast biopsy with the Mammotome device as recommended. Histology of the mommotomy cores was reported low grade nuclear grade, micropapillary and cribiform carcinoma in situ..

Hi all. I had two stereotactic biopsies on July 3 for two areas of microcalcifications in my right breast. I was told one group was starting to "line up." I could actually see them - six little dots in a row. The radiologist couldn't make out their shape. The second was a cluster within some dense tissue (I have very dense breasts). I've had other biopsies in the past as well. One excisional (fibroadenoma) in 1999, right breast, one ultrasound guided (fibroadenoma) 2006 right breast, one needle aspiration (cyst) 2006 left breast, stereotactic 2010 (microcalcifications - fibrocystic changes) right breast. I'm 48 years old. The biopsies I had on July 3 came back as fibrocystic changes. I was very worried because of the calcs that were in a line for the one area, I was worried because there were TWO areas of calc, and I was also freaked out because the radiologist used the words "of intermediate concern" for both areas that were to be biopsied (I didn't ask, but probably was a BIRAD 4B). That of course is better than highly suspicious (4C or 5), but still, there was not one point during this last round of biopsies when any of my providers (2 radiologists, my GYN or any nurses) told me not to be worried.

I wanted to share my story because sometimes what doesn't look to be good turns out okay. I have a grandmother who had two separate instances of BC, and many biopsies leading up to her diagnosis. As I was reading through stories on this site and others about microcalcifications, I hadn't come across anyone who had had as many biopsies as I have had at my age, but I'm sure there are many who have. Just in case you are reading this and are getting more scared about the number you have had, a good outcome can happen.