birads 3 micro calcifications

trace621

Quick backstory

- surgery (2) on both breasts due to tumors on each side

- Breast Composition Code: C - The breasts are heterogeneously dense

- family history of breast cancer. my mom had micro-calcifications that were malignant and removed

- i have endometriosis and adenomyosis (5 surgeries) - getting a hysterectomy in a few weeks

- qualified as being very high risk and now checked every 6 months

- 40yrs old / no kids

I went in for my 6 month follow up this week and received a mammo (done first) and exam. During the exam, the nurse practitioner felt a new lump on my right side that she seemed concerned about and also a lump under my armpit on the left side (both were not present at my last 6 month in feb). The mammo stated I had calcifications and needed more imaging. (mammo did not show either lump due to tissue). The nurse told me my previous mammo (back in feb) had some calcifications and now they have increased

This is the result from yesterday's mammo -

FINDINGS:
Left breast: There are increased calcifications at the lateral central aspect for which additional evaluation is recommended.
Right breast: There are increased calcifications at the central to upper outer aspect for which additional evaluation is recommended.

I was sent back in for another diagnostic mammo the next day (today) and already received the results. The nurse who preformed my mammo stated that I have scattered micro-calcifications and its not a concern but i have to come back in 6 months to be checked and keep an eye on it. I am confused by the results -

Impression

Bilateral benign-appearing calcifications, likely milk of calcium, right greater than left.

ACR BI-RADS Category 3: Probably Benign

FINDINGS:
Left breast: Magnification views demonstrate regionally distributed round and coarse calcifications, some of which demonstrate layering on the lateral view, without evidence of suspicious calcifications.

Right breast: Magnification views demonstrate regionally distributed round and coarse calcifications, some of which demonstrate layering on the lateral view, without evidence of suspicious calcifications.

My question....

I am reading about birads 3 and getting mixed articles. The word "probably" is throwing me off considering my medical and family history. I am suppose to have an ultrasound in a few weeks for the 2 new lumps mentioned above.

Should I ask my doctor to follow up more on the calcifications or wait until I have the ultrasound or both? My cousin had stage 4 and they misdiagnosed her for with a cyst and it was too late.

Thank you

Tracy

LivinLife

BIRADs 3 leads to an extremely low risk and does not justify biopsy - so low risk insurance won't even pay for it. To give you some idea... BIRADS 4 which does justify biopsy comes back 75-80% benign, so BIRADs 3 less risk than even that... 6 months is a reasonable time to wait. "Probably" is just medical speak - also "without evidence of suspicious calcifications." Obviously if you notice any changes between now and then revisit this with your medical provider(s). Given your high risk I hear your worry though..... monitor changes

trace621

thank you for your response! i was a bit worried because of the two lumps the doctor found this week in relation to the mammos! I did get a new letter from the radiologist this morning and it said "its probably benign" but it needs to be monitored. Why wait another 6 months if something might be wrong and there's 2 new lumps?

google has made me overly anxious.

LivinLife

I know times like these are really anxiety-provoking. Don't google.... You met with an expert who looked at your data - google can't do that. Hold onto "without evidence of suspicious calcifications"..... If you notice anything changing then please call your doc....

Redcanoe

sleep well friend. This is extremely low risk.

trace621

thank you for the help everyone! i got my ultrasound results back and it is benign! I go back for another 6 month follow. Here are my results -

The patient's nurse practitioner palpated a lump at the 10 o'clock right breast 2 cm from the nipple. Ultrasound directed to this area demonstrates dense fibroglandular tissue with innumerable tiny cysts, some with layering calcifications. No suspicious solid or cystic lesion. Ultrasound directed to the left axilla demonstrates no suspicious sonographic finding. Benign-appearing axillary lymph nodes are noted.

- question - does anyone know what "dense fibroglandular tissue with innumerable tiny cysts" is? is this a cyst? or just a lump with no name that has a bunch of cysts in it?

LivinLife

Great news trace!!! Thanks for letting us know! Try not to worry during the 6 month wait though you likely will for another week or so while you get some distance from all of this.... Best!!