Abnormal mammogram 1 month after lumpectomy

Emilie88

Hi,

Radiation oncologist ordered a mammogram before start of radiation. Two areas of microcalcifications were found near the excision site. Now need to wait for RO and breast surgeon to review film to determine next course of action. It's only been a month since lumpectomy. Has anyone else been in this situation? So scared it means another surgery.

KBeee

Did you have clear margins with surgery? Perhaps it's scar tissue. Hopefully you'll get answers soon. Hoping you do not face another surgery, but it's good they are being detailed and extra careful to make sure they get every spec that it abnormal since that is ultimately what most important in the long run (I did have to have an extra surgery as well).

djmammo

Emille

Depending upon how many prior studies are available for comparison, a review of the images by a radiologist will be performed in an attempt to determine if those calcifications are new or old, suspicious or benign appearing. If they have been there for years without change, that would make them much less worrisome. If they appear to have been associated with the abnormality that lead to your surgery in both location and timing, they will need to be evaluated. If the pathology report indicated your surgical margins were not clear, then odds are the surgeon will want to take you back to the OR. An MRI performed soon after a lumpectomy can sometimes be misleading as surgical margins will often enhance with the IV contrast either simulating or masking residual tumor.

Emilie88

Thank you for your comments and perspectives. The pathology report after re-excision did indicate clear margins, which I understand is required before moving on for radiation treatment. That's why this is both confusing and frustrating. Radiologist reviewing the mammogram led me to think these were new findings.

Tresjoli2

Emilie I know this is hard, but your RO did the right thing. He wants to be absolutely certain that there is nothing there, because you can only have radiation once. Please keep us posted. You have an excellent RO for ordering the scan.