Waiting - Birads 4 Biopsy Feb 3

SLV_2021

Hello ladies. The support you provide in these forums is just so uplifting. Thank you for your work.

After an abnormal screening mammogram and diagnostic mammogram (new grouped calcifications), I’m in the middle of a three week wait for a biopsy due to short staffing/Covid. Trying to stay positive but definitely worried.

I’d like to get some input from you all on my radiology reports. Pasted below for your reference.

-Original Mammogram 12/16/20

3-D tomo synthesis CC and MLO imaging is presented on this 44-year-old female and compared with previous 3/15/2019, 10/10/2017, 5/26/2016.

Breast tissue is of average density and asymmetrical. Patient has history of bilateral breast reduction surgery 3-4 years ago.

Right side appears unremarkable and stable considering the reductionsurgeries. On the left there is one area of suspected change, that being a group of calcifications deep superiorly on left mediolateral oblique image, not visible on craniocaudad. No other area of suspicion or change is seen on either side.

Impression:Calcifications on the left will require additional evaluation. Patient will be contacted by the Breast Center to schedule the recommended follow-up appointment.

BI-RADS 0

-Diagnostic Mammogram Jan 12

FINDINGS:There are scattered areas of fibroglandular density. A new group of round and punctate calcifications is again noted within the upper outer quadrant of the left breast, 10 cm from the nipple measuring up to 1.6 cm.

IMPRESSION: Suspicious left breast calcifications for which stereotactic guided biopsy is recommended.

BI-RADS: 4

Recommendation: Tissue diagnosis

Recommendation Laterality: Left

-Does the term “suspicious” indicate anything specific about the chances this is cancer?

-Another question I have is about the location of the calcifications - they are very near my chest wall. Is this anything to worry about?

Thank you for reading.

SLV

LivinLife

I'm not one of the medically knowledgeable ones when it comes to these things so will leave most of that to others.... Just want to welcome you SLV! Glad you found us and posted! As you've likely seen on the site already, BIRADS 4 and suspicious does not always mean cancer and it often does not mean cancer. Most of these follow-ups come back benign and sometimes as precancerous conditions. Since there was a change from your previous mammograms that makes it "suspicious" though often not cancer. They are taking the utmost precaution tho b/c it's a change. I hope it comes back benign for you though only the biopsy will really determine that. You mentioned other specifics from your reports... hopefully others will come along soon to respond to those.

MelissaDallas

Hi SLV,

“Suspicious" is used pretty much anytime a biopsy is justified, but Birads 4 is anywhere from a 3% up to a 95% chance of being cancer, so roughly overall about 70% of those biopsies are benign.

At this point, I don't think the location is much of a problem. The really hard to do stereotactic biopsies seem to be in areas close to the surface or skin.

I usually have to wait long times because the facility I go to is so busy, so yeah, that is a pain. I just do my best to forget it in the meantime. Worrying won't change anything and I’ve seen way too many women here literally make themselves sick for weeksover things that turn out to be nothing. Hang in there and let us know how it goes

SLV_2021

Thank you very much for your feedback.

Honeydew22

Hi SLV,

I don’t have anything to add as far as medical knowledge or interpretation of your report. I’m new here too. Just wanted to say hi and I can definitely relate to the difficulties of a long wait. It’s absolutely the worst part. As much as I try to focus on other things and distract myself, my pesky brain just keeps coming back to it.

Try to hang in there and know that you’re not alone. Wishing you all the best!