microcalcification questions

Hopes

Hello, everyone!  I'm glad I found this site! 

I had a diagnostic mammogram last week, followed immediately by 3 other tests via different equipment.  I didn't know they had so many ways to look at breasts. 

I'm fibrocystic with thick tissue masses, but they also saw microcalcifications on the outsides of both breasts.  These were so small I believe they didn't show up on the regular mammogram (I think) but the second machine that was 3D.  Then they looked at them further with a third machine that has small paddles.  7 hour appointment.  The radiologist  told she wants me back in 6 months. 

I wasn't worried until I started receiving the test result phone calls from the gyne and my PCP.  Then I started google searching calcifications and found info on my microcalcifications.  I'm 48.  My last mammogram was 5 years ago (I thought they were supposed to be done yearly after 50---stupid me).  They are doing the 6 month follow up because they can't compare the microcalcifications to the old mammogram because it wasn't diagnostic or of the same quality as what was done at the women's hospital last week. 

Of course I'm worried.  I've read that 80% of microcalcifications aren't cancer.  But what is the survival rate of the 20%?  I can't find that information. 

My husband lost his job in January.  No health insurance.  We're expecting a sizable settlement in the near future.  I'm wondering how to protect our net worth.

marie5890

Hopes,

Hello and welcome.

You ask what is the survival rate of the 20% that is cancer. That question really isnt the right question.

You see, "breast cancer" is an umbrella term for all kinds of cancer that can affect the breast. There really are a whole hosts of different cancers.

Microcals *can* be something that shows up as an imaging sign of the possibility of one of these various kinds of cancers.

Only a biopsy can determin *if* cancer is there. And then, even if it is, only more testing can determine exactly what kind of cancer and how far along that particular cancer is.

Since you havent had a mammo in 5 years, it really is hard to know if these microcals have changed over time.

The 6 month following is at the very least prudent. Esp considering the make-up of youre breast tissue.

If you had health insurance, I would actually suggest getting a biopsy done.

Back to your original question of the survival rate of that 20% that comes back as cancer. It depends. It's why earlier detection is soooo vital...

Good luck and dont skip that 6 month follow up.  

Fergy

Hopes, 3 1/2 years ago I had microcalcifications show up on a mammogram.  I too had missed a couple of years so they suggested a 6 month follow up.  At the follow up they gave me a BIRADS 4C rating and I had a stereotactic biopsy done which removed all of the calcifications and placed a titanium chip at the biopsy location.  I was diagnosed with sclerosing adenosis, which is a B9 condition that has the same characteristics as cancer on mammogram but is NOT cancer.  I was followed every 6 months for 1 1/2 years and then switched to annual mammogram.  I have not had anymore microcalcifications since then.

I have my annual mammogram next week and expect another BIRADS 2!  The good thing about having the microcalcifications is that they really look closely at my mammograms.  They call it a high risk reading when they bill my insurance company.  I know if I ever do have anything else develop it will be caught early.

I hope this helps to calm you down.  However when I was going through it the first time nothing could keep my mind from going to dark places.  I just didn't want to get caught off guard and wanted to be prepared for a BC diagnosis if it came.  In the end all my reasearch and these boards taught me a lot about BC and now I am informed if it ever should happen.  That keeps me from getting nervous about my annual mammogram or any new lumps that I find.

Good Luck and hopefully you will get B9 results too.

francksgirl

I'm one of the 20% people....long story short, my breast catsir was found because of my micro calcifications. I was a year late with my mammo. I'm now 42 years old, no history with breast catsir, only 2 of my great aunts, which doesn't count with the hereditary part. I feel so bad........soooooooooooo many woman think that 50 is the age, you are NOT the only one. I wish you lots of luck..........please get the biopsy done, I know that you don't have health care, but your life is more important. I'm stage 1, and have one chemo left...I had a double mastectomy on February 3rd, of this year, My lymph nodes were clear, but I was HER2 Positive that's why i had to do the damn chemo, cuz the catsir i have has a 25% chance of coming back to anywhere in my body. This bump in the road sucks.......bigtime. Good luck to you!!!

marie5890

francksgirl....

Best of luck to you...So glad that you have one chemo left...Hope you kicked the bastard to the curb!!! 

Chiz34

I'm 33 and have lumpy breast I had a mammogram last year over a lump I felt in my left breast. The dr told me there was nothing to worry about. Then a month ago I noticed the lump had gotten bigger went to the dr again and he sent me to get another mammogram. The result from this mammogram showed a birads 4 but not over my lump. They said I had a cluster of microcalcifications in a different spot on my breast they told me there was about 15 microcalcification in a tight cluster I'm going to do a biopsy on dec 3 but I'm worried I've had 2 aunts that have had breast cancer. So what I'm asking is when u have a tight cluster of 15 microcalcifications in only one breast what are my odds of it being nothing. Does ne one have ne advise to try and help get this off my mind? I'm I being silly and there is nothing to worry about.

GreenMonkey

francksgirl!  one chemo left thats great! what was your initial diagnosis? I used to know this but I forgot.

Hopes, I'm part of the 20%. My husband lost his job and the following day I found out I had cancer. Microcalsifications found after a routine mammo turned out to be DCIS (cancer in the milk ducts). Went for a second opinion and this doctor questioned the "good" breast. After a second biopsy, the "good" breast showed pre DCIS. I opted for a double mastectomy and the final pathology report showed, DCIS, LCIS, and pre DCIS and pre LCIS. 

back to you... as for insurance. you need that. can you sign up for cobra? that is what we did.

Marie5890, good to see your post. you always give good solid advice/information. 

Even though both of my breasts had cancer, because it was all "contained" they did not do the HER2 test. I don't even know if I'm PR + or - ... regardless of what I'm told, it still bothers me that they didn't do the test. 

Kilodog64

I have been reading this forum for a couple of days now.  Mamo found very tiny specks in a cluster.  I was very shocked that they were able to see it.  Also had another spot.  Brought me back in for another look and determined it was the microcals......The rad was preparing to do the ultrasound when 2 Dr.s walked in.  She took over and did the ultrasound.  The spot was a cyst, but she said the smallest (cals) were the most problematic.  Going for a Stero on Tuesday.  Oh, did I mention it was my 49th bday today?  49 bday and facing the big 'C' diagnoses.  I'm not too concerned at this point, a little nervous, staying busy and reading everything I can get my hands on!!  Should have a diagnosis by next Friday....Sigh

GreenMonkey

thats a terrible present no matter what the outcome. My 1 year diagnosis anniversary was January 11th. If you need to vent I and a lot  of others are here.  Lots of decisions to make. I have a section on my blog regarding my cancer journey if you want to read. I also had microcalsifications.

http://greenmonkeytales.blogspot.com/p/catstir.html

Kilodog64

I did read your blog, so funny, sad, and very interesting.  Hartford right?   My husband is from the burbs of Hartford.  Ya, just trying to stay busy....

marie5890

Kilo,

Hello and welcome. 

Dont read too much at this point. Having a biopsy done is the prudent thing at this point, but more often than not the biopsy comes back B9 in cases like this. But having a biopsy done is the safe thing to do, just in case.

Hang in there. Keep busy, but not with Dr Google.

AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! 

gumshoe

Kilo, Yes, marie is so right. My problem was reading too much and I was reading all the wrong things. It's hard to do, but best to wait. Good luck tomorrow!

I had the same birthday a few days ago, so happy belated to you!

GreenMonkey

kilodog, how did it go yesterday? 

Kilodog64

Actually, It was not bad at all.  I worked myself up all weekend and it didn't really hurt.  The rad was the best!  Just waiting on results.  In the previous films, I saw 5 microcals, but when they were done, it looks like they got about 11 of them.  Not sure if that means anything....Waiting game now.

Kilodog64

GreenMonkey, I just love your blog!

Kilodog64

B9   !!!!!!!!!!!!!

GreenMonkey

B9 ))))   ... I'm putting the vibe out there!  and...Thanks for checking out the blog ~  

Mkf

Heidi,

This sounds like my situation. I had a mammogram one year ago which was normal. Exactly one year later, I have had a mammogram (at the new tomosynthesis kind) which found a cluster of microcalcifications . I had a stereotactic biopsy this week which has shown to be DCIS. I'm scared, have lots of questions, and just want it over with.

Koala1

Hi Everyone,

I had a Stereotatic Core Biopsy done yesterday, I can honestly say that I wasn't ashamed of crying because it hurt with the pressure from the machine just to get the right angle where the needle had to go in, I didn't have vallium they gave me a local Anethestic and it wasn't enough as I could feel the doctor cutting my breast with the scalpel in which I was given more after that didn't feel a thing, he actually showed me the samples they took and the nurses had to do another mammogram once the proceedure was done, I didn't have any wiring done I had a Titanium clip put in the area of concern for future testing if needed, I find out my results in a couple of days and believe me the waiting and not knowing is not helping, I lost my Mother to breast cancer 7 years ago and was told that I was in the high catergory of getting it myself, I am praying that this is not the case and that is just cysts, just wish it was a couple of days already... take care everyone I forgot to mention they only found these mircocals in my right breast after I found a lump in my left breast 5 weeks ago which came back clear it was during my ultrasound of this they found them, I don't know but I have a feeling this happened for a reason and my mum had a hand in it somehow watching over me .. will let you know of the prognosis

debmc1958

Hope all turns out well. So sorry about your mother.

francksgirl

There is no cure on how to get throught the next few days. Just sleep or clean your @ss off to make the time go by fast!! So sorry to hear about your mom. I know it's very scary for you....many of us have been through this and know that the waiting is the worst thing to go through!!!

Koala1

Thankyou Deb, I hope everything turns out well too and if not then I will deal with it when the time comes, have spoken to my Husband about this and he has been so strong and supportive during this trying time, Hope you are well also

Koala1

Thankyou Francksgirl, I have been keeping myself busy with work but sometimes proving hard as I am in customer service and you have to serve with a smile but sometimes this is proving to be difficult, but I do my best... I am always cleaning pretty fussy in that dept am sorry to say and find myself cleaning the same thing twice over..lol.. I should hear from the Doctor today sometime as its now Thursday morning here in Australia and if I don't hear from them by lunchtime I will be giving them a call... Thankyou regarding my Mum, even though it was a while ago the heartache never goes away and then the worry sets in with the what if.. you know

francksgirl

When I was going through my waiting period it was 3 days before Christmas.......It was awful, trying to look happy!!! I had to take Xanax, and plus it was nice that friends came by Christmas Day to take my mind off things too. I had my moments that I'd go in the shower and cry, but afterwards I'd wipe my tears away and put my big girl panties on!!!

Koala1

That would of been truly hard for you hun especially so close to Christmas, having wonderful friends around you helps take away the thoughts that keep creeping back into your mind, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas... crying in the shower is a good thing the water helps wash away the tears I do that myself it helps to get it all out then you feel just a little better, my neighbour who is ex Australian Navy pulled me aside the other day gave me one of those military hugs and told me no matter how hard things get you are a tuff chickie and swallowing cement to harden up won't go astray..lol.. if it was someone else I probly would of been offended but when it came to him I knew I had to exactly that... so no matter how hard things get and the days seem like they are going to be dull look outside, take a breath in and think today is a new day and its going to be a ripper..xx

Koala1

Well I got my results back from my Biopsy last week and was told there was no Cancer found, it was such a relief and I just sat in the car crying because of all the stress we had gone through for the past few weeks, my Husband and I went out to dinner to celebrate but it was short lived though because the next day I recieved a messege on my mobile phone from my doctor, she told me that the sample from my Biopsy was taken from the wrong area of concern and that I needed to have another Core Biopsy done, I couldn't believe it I was a mess and my husband felt helpless because no matter what he did they tears didn't stop all day, I couldn't believe that someone who was a professsional could get it so wrong, I went back this morning to see my Doctor and she said that she spoke to the radiologist and there are microcalcifications present in the ultrasound and the sample taken didn't show any, so now I am having another Core Biopsy done tomorrow at no charge because of the mistake they made and if it still is wrong my Doctor is requesting that I have Surgery to remove the tissue for pathology to test... without the love and support from my husband, daughter, family and friends I don't think I could get through this and it hasn't finished as yet...hopefully by Friday we will find out the results and deal with whatever the outcome will be.. am very heavy hearted at the moment and can't function properly because its constantly on my mind, but then I can't let anyone down especially myself and then just get on with things, so for now I am just taking it one day at a time and trying to keep strong and positive, will let you know of the outcome, So take care everyone and God Bless xx

debmc1958

That is soooooooooooooooo screwed up!  I am so sorry you have to go through the biopsy and waiting twice. That is not right or fair. I know it doesn't help but your situation itself hasn't gotten any worse - except for all this unnecessary stress. How dare they take away your joy and peace of mind because of their mistake? Sorry, this infuriates me.

I can sympathize a bit with the roller coaster of getting good news then having them change their mind. I had one biopsy on a (thyroid) tumor in December that came back benign, and I was so happy. I needed to send the results to an endo who called me and said she disagreed that it was benign so I had to wait three months! (area had to heal) and get another biopsy. That one came back benign. Meanwhile, I got a mammogram while waiting, my first. I got called back from spot mammogram and ultrasound which showed calcifications. I sent those results to a breast surgeon to set up a biopsy, waited a couple of weeks and she told me the calcifications looked benign so come back in six months. More joy! Oh, and the story goes on. I was just so happy and relieved. I called everyone and told them. Then, a lump popped up under my other arm. I was crushed. I just got those results on Friday, a cyst. I hope for similar good news for you. I'm just so mad at them for you.

Koala1

Thankyou so much Deb for caring, I had the Biopsy done again today and they were apologetic and couldn't understand why I needed to come back again because they were positive they got the right sample, umm apparantly not, and that me requiring another needle core biopsy again is the first ever to happen at that Diagnostic centre, I think they don't like to admit to their mistakes and that they missed something so important, but they definately got the right tissue sample this time as you can see the cluster of calcifications more clearly on the scan just hope the pathologist can detect any abnormalities, will find out the results on Friday if not before as it takes 2 days and with my doctor being so thorough and making my situation a priority to her she will call me sooner to come in.. I must be getting better at this because again I could feel them cutting my breast which was bigger I told them to keep going, felt sorry for the poor nurse who was holding my hand but she was lovely, very supportive and caring.

It feels like I have been on a roller coaster with my emotions, stress, it has affected everyone especially my Husband and Daughter they feel helpless sometimes but I reassure them just being there and understanding what I am going through is enough for me to get through it, but on the other hand I am doing the same to them because they need that reassurance also, I have taken time off work because of the stress but get the feeling they don't care I am inconveniencing them because they now have to cover my shifts I felt guilty but then thought to myself bugger them they don't care then why should I my health comes first and foremost from now on so instead of going into work yesterday with the thought of breaking down I held my head high and told her like it is and gave her my doctors certificate and once she knew she had that she couldn't say a thing and look like an arse if she did..

I am so sorry that you had to go through all that stress and worry, I think that we know our own bodies and when there is something wrong or something doesn't feel right we act upon it, some doctors think we are over reacting which isn't the case we just want answers, that is why I am so happy that I have such a fantastic doctor who is making my situation a priority and knowing my family history with my Mother loosing her battle with Breast Cancer, I am happy to know that it was a cyst only and you can have some peace of mind, but still it is still enough to make you worry and cause stress.

I am hoping so too hun just a few days to wait now which I am used too..

Please take care x

debmc1958

Well I sure do hope that they streamline it and get you the results asap.

I have similar uncaring people at work. I had to let them know what was going on because I was exceeding my sick days with all these biopsies! They never even asked what my results were. So I told my one boss in an email that the results were benign so I won't need to take more time off for now and also that my daughter was graduating from law school so needed that day off. His entire response was "Which school?" haha What an idiot. My coworker who has had to cover for me has been very understanding.

That sounds awful that you felt them cutting, sends chills down my spine. I hope it didn't hurt.

I'm so sorry about your mother. I lost my mother (in 2011 at 80) and father (in 1976 at 48) both to colon cancer and didn't see these breast or thyroid issues coming by a mile!

westernskyaz

I just turned 40 and had my first mammo.  Got called 2 days later to come back for a stronger mammo.  They sent me to a specialist who informed me that I have a couple of punctuated microcalcification clusters on one side and at least one cluster on the other breast. I have fibroids and dense breast tissue.  My BIRAD was a 3 because they have nothing to compare my mammo to as this was my first.  I have a first cousin who had breast cancer at 43, an aunt who had ovarian cancer before 40 and a great-aunt who had breast cancer at 44.  They told me to come back in 6 months for a follow-up mammo to watch for a change.  She said that because I had them on both breasts the likelihood of cancer is slim.  The doc is in a smaller town (40K), should I be more aggressive with looking into this? The nearest large city (1 million) is 100 miles from me.