Pleomorphic calcifications?

jmb5

I got the results of my mammogram today, and the findings said I have pleomorphic calcifications near the sight of my previous biopsy scar, where DCIS was found 4 years ago. The first time I had DCIS, that mammogram referred to it as a cluster of calcification. This time it says pleomorphic calcs, which was a term I hadn't heard before. I am scheduled for a diagnostic mammogram and possible ultrasound on Nov. 4, and will see my oncologist a few days later. Does anyone know anything about pleomorphic calcs? I just don't have a good feeling about this, based on the conversation with radiology and my oncologist's nurse. They were showing too much concern.

mermaid18

Hi jmb5,

If you search "pleomorphic caclifications" you should be able to sort by relevancy and get a lot of info and I'm sure many of the more seasoned members will reply soon.

My doctor was not concerned with my pleomorphic calcs, which all came back DCIS Grade 3 in the biopsy. I had to really squawk to get them to biopsy more than the one area of concern, they did three areas total. Be glad your docs are being aggressive in checking them. I am in limbo, have not had my follow up since my biopsy. While waiting for biopsy, I submitted my info from my mammogram info to the John Hopkins Breast Center "ask an expert", and they said about 50% of pleomorphic calcifications come back malignant (25-45% is the general stat on risk for malignancy). Generally, standard everyday calcs are only 20% risk for malignancy, from what I've read on this site. "Fine" or "Linear" and "clustered" pleomorphic calcs increase the risk of malignancy. Did they describe them as fine or linear? Mine were "fine" and "clustered". Pleomorphic just describes their shape. They can still be benign, so try to be positive...

jmb5

Thanks, mermaid18. My report just said pleomorphic calcs. I asked my oncologist's nurse if she knew if they were clustered, but she didn't. When I had DCIS 4 years ago, the report said a cluster of calcs. Two years ago my mammogram said scattered calcs, and that time there was no cancer. This new word pleomorphic threw me because I had never heard it. I knew about clustered, linear, etc., but had never heard of pleomorphic. Sure wish the nurse could have told me if it was clustered or not. The other thing that bothers me is that the calcs are in the same place they were before when I had DCIS. He mentioned that in the report. That seems bad to me.They seemed concerned when they called, like they did 4 years ago. The one two years ago, that wasn't cancer, they were pretty laid back and said I could wait 6 months for follow up, no big deal. I sense an urgency again. I guess if it is cancer, it's probably DCIS again, and although that will suck, I know it's the best of the bad news, if that makes sense. Since my diagnostic isn't scheduled until Nov. 4, I'm thinking about calling radiology and asking if they can tell me if they calcs are clustered, or maybe even if I can see the pictures. The waiting is the worst, and I know after the diagnostic, they will more than likely want a biopsy, which means it could be a month before I know for sure. Ugh!

Annette47

You don't say what kind of treatment you had for your original DCIS, but if you did radiation, that can cause calcifications down the line .... hoping it's something like that for you!

jmb5

Thanks, Annette! I forgot that was a possibility. I did have radiation 4 years ago. Let's hope that's all it is. Did I already say the waiting sucks?!

jmb5

I called my oncologist to ask a question this morning, and the nurse agreed I shouldn't have to wait 2 weeks for my diagnostic. She called radiology and got them to squeeze me in tomorrow morning. Might have an ultrasound afterwards if needed. Hoping the radiologist can give me more info. Nervous!

Annette47

Good luck! I can't believe they would make you wait that long. At mine, the first time they saw something I had had the screening mammogram on a Thursday, they called Friday but I missed the call. Called them Monday am and they had me in on Tuesday for the diagnostic.

I've been told that from now on (at least for the next 5 years) I'll be getting diagnostic mammos right off the bat.

jmb5

I know. I was upset that they would make me wait over 2 weeks. Thankfully my oncologist's nurse took pity on me. That is a good idea to just skip and do the diagnostic right off the bat. I might suggest that next year.

jmb5

Meeting with my surgeon this afternoon and will schedule the biopsy. I think I have read every single thing on the internet about pleomorphic calcs, DCIS recurrence, calcs caused by rads, etc. I should just stay off the computer, because the only thing that will tell me if I have a recurrence is the biopsy results. I just have a bad feeling after seeing my old mammogram pictures and the new ones looking identical.