extensive pleomorphic ductal calcs - now waiting biopsy

thekeensheep

Hi all - I was on here a couple years ago, and at that time I had several large 4cm axillary tumors on my left that turned out to be Nodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma. I was treated with a partial axillary dissection (9 removed) and chemo. I finished chemo in April 2015. Last month - September 20th, I had my followup with a new onc (i moved), and my bloodwork was beautiful. She lined me up with my followup mammo (during lymphoma I had 2 mammos, 2 ultrasounds, and 1 breast MRI, all fibrocystic, but normalish). October 20th (5 days ago) I went in for my mammo and US, and it showed the following:

"Suspicious of malignancy. Pleomorphic calcifications in the upper inner quadrant of the left breast. Interval development of pleomorphic calcification extending from the chest wall to the nipple in a ductal pattern 12.4cm x 4.6cm."

The Dr. that saw me said that it was highly suspicious of an intraductal issue and I needed a stereoscopic biopsy at first available. I go in on Thursday (2 days). She didn't report my BIRADS on my report. I have read all the medical journals. I know that this is highly probable of malignancy (hopefully DCIS if it is) due to 1.)size 2.)ductal patterning, and 3) the spread to the chest wall from the nipple. I also had nothing there 18 months ago, so that is pretty fast. I have had no radiation to the chest.

My question is if anyone on here has had that extensive size of pleomorphic ductal calcs with a benign finding....

magsp

Hi, there. I saw your post and just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you during this brutal waiting game. I am 45 and recently had my annual screening 3D mammo where they found a cluster of fine pleomorphic calcifications. A stereotactic core needle biopsy was recommended. The whole thing from start to finish took over a month and I was going out of my mind with worry. Everything I googled about clustered fine pleomorphic calcifications seemed very, very bad. I was convinced I had cancer and was really just hoping for DCIS by the time of my biopsy results appt with the breast surgeon. What she told me though was that my calcifications were completely benign -- a fibroadenoma. I almost fell off the chair in the office. I was so relieved. I just wanted to share this hopeful story with you in case you are reading what I read during my waiting period. I am thinking of you and wishing you the best during this very, very tough time. Please let us know how things turned out.

thekeensheep

Hi there, and sorry for the delay in response magsp. I am now pending bilateral mastectomy and axillary node dissection. I have extensive DCIS with potential lymph node involvement. I already have an indolent lymphoma on the same side/same armpit so everything is going. my dcis is over 7" x 2" from nipple to chest wall, and is grade 3, with suspected pockets of invasive that cannot be confirmed until surgery. It is aggressive and painful and just 2 days ago I could not really feel it, but have been having sharp pains in the breast and today woke up and could palpate a large hard area right under the skin. Hoping it is still just DCIS at surgery.

Very glad to hear the good news for you!!

magsp

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. It certainly sounds like you have alot going on, so I am sending you some good thoughts for strength and peace during this very tumultuous and, I'm sure scary time.

Bravemama34

i had extensive calcifications which turned out to be 14cm of DCIS plus small amounts of microinvasive IDC.  i am a small girl and my breasts were 32B.  so a pretty large area.