Calcifications 16 years out - waiting for biopsy results

Tmh0921

Hi!

I'm new to this site, but not new to BC. I was diagnosed wit IDC at age 27 in 1999. I was very lucky to have a surgeon who didn't subscribe to the "you're too young theory" and removed my lump when it was found. I was Dx stage 1B, grade 2, 1cm tumor 0/14 nodes involved, and 0/1 sentinel node involved. I had a lumpectomy, node dissection, radiation, and Tamoxifen.

In 2002, I opted to discontinue taking Tamoxifen as it was causing ovarian cysts, and I wanted to have children. I have been blessed with two post BC babies- both boys, now 13 and 8 years old.

About a month ago I found a large lump (~ 2-3cm) in my right (non-BC) breast that seemed to come out of nowhere. I wasn't too concerned as I have an extensive history of Firboadenomas (have had 12 removed over the years). This new lump was smooth, mobile, and felt like another Firboadenoma.

I scheduled an appointment with my surgeon and he had me in for a mammogram and ultrasound that same day. Mammogram and Ultrasound of the lump was uneventful, even I could tell it was a cyst by looking at the ultrasound while it was being done. However, the tech and Radiologist were paying a lot of attention to my left (BC) breast. They took a lot of mammogram films with more and more detail. After they were done it was recommended that I have a FNA of the cyst on the right. On the left, I was told that I have calcifications and they wanted me to have a stereotactic core needle biopsy to rule out malignancy.

I had both biopsies Thursday (5/19). The lump on the right was definitely a benign cyst. They've told me that the calcifications on the left have a 10-20% chance of being malignant, but are more likely benign.

So here I am, waiting for my follow up appointment with my surgeon on Friday to review results and discuss next steps. I am surprisingly calm about this (probably because I have been seeing a lovely psychiatrist and have good anxiety mess/control in place). The radiologist said that if it is malignant it would be considered a local recurrence due to location (very close to original tumor location). He also assured me that if it is malignant, we have found it VERY early. There is no detectable tumor.

It's nice to meet you all.

Tracy

Moderators

Hi Tracy and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

Thank you for sharing your story -- we're sure you'll have lots of support here.

Please keep us posted on the biopsy results. We're all sending you positive thoughts!

--The Mods

KBeee

Sorry you are dealing with this. Keep us posted

Tmh0921

Tomorrow is results day!

When I had my mammogram and ultrasound done, I had blood drawn for genetic testing. After some pushing with my insurance I was able to get the full panel (25 genes) covered. I got a call from my GC today that the test came back normal, no mutations in any of the tested genes.

Tomorrow I meet with my surgeon to get my biopsy results. I am hoping they are benign, but i'm worried that may not be the case. I called the surgeon today to verify that they would have my results and the nurse told me they have them, the pathologist had called my surgeon. I was too chicken to ask what they were, but the last time the pathologist called my surgeon rather than just sending the pathology report the news wasn't what I wanted 😕

Fingers crossed for benign, but I'd be ok with 'we found it really early' too.

Tracy

vlnrph

Good job on getting insurance coverage for your panel testing! Being diagnosed so young certainly would lead one to think there might be something genetic but there's so much we don't know yet.

Perhaps the pathologist called just to let the surgeon know when the results were posted. With electronic medical records these days, they don't have to fax or be read over the phone as in the past.

Do you have a special weekend planned, whatever the news is? Have fun with those boys, they'll be grown up too soon...

KBeee

Let us know. Sure hoping it is benign!!!!!

Tmh0921

Biopsy results are in, and have mixed findings:

RT breast FNA - 2.5 cm benign cyst

LT breast - stereotactic core needle biopsy

• Sample A - benign fibrocystic change
• Sample B - benign fibroadipose tissue
• Sample C - flat epithelial atypia and focal ductal hyperplasia with associated microcalcifications
• Sample D - columnar cell change with focal microcalcifications
• Sample E - columnar cell change with focal microcalcifications

LT breast - surgical excision recommended 😕

I have a wire localization excisional biopsy on 6/15 to remove the entire area of suspicion to verify that only ADH is present and there is no further abnormalities or malignancy. This area is very close to my original tumor and with my history my surgeon says these types of findings are not unexpected. He isnt alarmed and doesn't think we'll find a malignancy.

So now we just have to wait a few more weeks. He offered to do the biopsy next week, but I'm going to the beach the week of 6/4. He said this isn't urgent, enjoy my vacation and we'll tackle this when I get back 😊

KBeee

Sounds like good news!!! Enjoy your vacation!

vlnrph

Yes, have a nice break and then take care of things next month!