new microcalcifications after radiation

tovahsmom

I finished rads 4 months ago, had my 3 month follow-up mammo only to learn of 2 new areas of microcalcifications.

I didn't even think this was possible.

I'd like to know what microcalcifications mean? That is how my first bc was discovered (microcalcifications on a routine mammo). Do microcalcifications always mean cancer? Or can they be a symptom of something else and what is that something else?

If anybody knows, I'd appreciate hearing back from you.

Its been a while since I've read my bc books and I have forgotten everything I learned about bc when I did my research last year. It was all a bit too much for me.

Thanks 

AuroraL

I had the same thing happen to me.  I had an area of calcifications show up in my 6-month check-up.   Since they were small (and birads 3 I think) the doc said let's follow-up in 6 months.  At the follow-up mammo they had not changed, so they ruled them out as something to be worried about.  The doc said they were likely related to scar tissue.

Best wishes. 

CrunchyPoodleMama

I just replied on your other thread but the pattern of the microcalcifications means everything. Like Aurora said, they can be due to scar tissue or even an injury. I would ask for your radiologist's report for the mammo to see if the pattern is described or if you have a BIRADs number. Here's hoping yours are just from scar tissue!

CrunchyPoodleMama

(sorry - double post)

tovahsmom

Thank you Aurora and Julia for replying.

I don't think they are from scar tissue because the radiologist showed me where they were and where my surgery was and they were nowhere near there.

I'll find out soon but does anyone have any idea what the chances of this being cancer are? These little buggers seem to have grown very quickly since my last imaging study in August 09. I would have thought that rads would have zapped them to oblivion. 

dsj

As you probably know, calcifications are not themselves DCIS.  They are debris left by dead cells. One cause of dead cells is breast cancer, but it's not the only one.  Doctors worry when the appearance of the calcifications suggest they might be indicative of DCIS, particularly if they are clustered and small.  Are you having another biopsy?  If so, that should give  you a definitive answer.  I don't know what your personal chances are, but 80% of biopsies (population general public) are benign.  And at least you know that whatever it is, it must be really, really early.  Fingers crossed you get good news. 

tovahsmom

Thank you dsj for replying and informing me that microcalcifications are dead cells, some of which are caused by cancer but not all.

Yes, I'm having 2 biopsies and then will wait for the results which always takes forever.