Calcifications on Mammo

Each_day_2018

I had a diagnostic mammo yesterday and before leaving they said everything looked good. I got the report this morning and it shows ‘benign calcifications’. How can they say benign? I thought the only way they knew something is benign is by biopsy

I understand calcifications are common, I’m just really nervous! I have called the imaging dept for more details and called my MO, but neither have gotten back to me.

Some background: when I first had concerns about a palpable lump in 2016, they couldn’t find it on mammo or US and due to my age (29at the time) didn’t think it Was cause for concern. So needless to say, I don’t trust them! And none of my previous mammos noted calcifications in the non cancerous breast.

Ingerp

Suspicious calcifications have a different size/pattern.

https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/mammograms/mamm_show/calcifications

Lexica

I can't speak to the 'benign calcifications' but I just want to say I hear you on the feeling dismissed. Even after a cancer diagnosis. My story is similar to yours (palpable lump in 2016, they couldn't find it on mammo or US and due to my age...) and it is so frustrating. Hope you get answers, but in the meantime, I would keep pushing for answers until you get a good one.

Each_day_2018

thanks for the input! Still haven't heard back from the Dr

and Lexica...it looks like our diagnoses are very similar! Even at the appt yesterday, the tech was asking about the BC and kept asking if I had IBC and it’s surprising that it wasn’t because of my age. I know the stats aren’t high foryounger women, but we can have any kind of cancer and everything should be looked at as though it could be!

Beesie

Size and pattern.

I think something like over 95% of calcifications are benign. Most don't require a biopsy because the appearance clearly indicates that they are benign. Only supsicious calcifications - microcalcs that are clustered or linear - require a biopsy. Linear is highly suspicious but I believe most clustered calcs end up benign.

Breast - Calcifications Differential Diagnosis https://radiologyassistant.nl/breast/breast-calcif...

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Breast microcalcifications on mammogram https://breast-cancer.ca/micro-overviews/

"Calcifications are common in the breast, and regardless of the cause they will appear on the mammogram. An experienced radiologist can quickly tell the difference from benign breast calcifications and those associated with breast carcinoma."

Each_day_2018

thanks Beesie. My oncology nurse called and she said it’s very common and looks fine. she said she can request that the radiologist take a second look if that would make me feel more comfortable. I said yes please!

Celand

My last mammogram showed that I had calcifications, the nurse practitioner told me that she also had them and that they were common. It was still scary for me to read about it on my mammogram report.

Each_day_2018

Just wanted to give an update: My oncologist reviewed my mammogram images (after the radiologist). He suggested I follow up with my breast surgeon for an ultrasound. I don't know if it is out of an abundance of caution or if he is concerned. My appt with the BS is today, and needless to say, I am a mess.

KBeee

If there is any question on the ultrasound, perhaps they can do an MRI. It sounds like your BS is being very cautious which is a good thing, but I understand that does not help the anxiety of wanting answers and confirmation all is okay. Hoping the ultrasound looks good. Do keep us posted.

Each_day_2018

Everything is fine. Going to have a routine MRI next month and then schedule my mastectomy of the remaining side and start reconstruction. I was always planning to do it anyways...but after all this worry and nonsense, I just want it to be done.

KBeee

That sounds like a smart plan