Waiting for Biopsy 4C Calcifications

aefran

Hello,

Just had my follow up screening mammogram and ultrasound for an asymmetrical density and calcifications. They couldn't find the asymmetrical density on the ultrasound... but the calcifications don't look too great apparently. They are in a group and all different shapes and sizes. I was scheduled for a stereotactic biopsy in two weeks. The imager was so sweet, but I could sort of tell her vibe switched after she came back from the radiologist.

After leaving I realized I had more questions, so called back and was able to speak to the imaging navigator. She went to get further information from the radiologist and told me I had a BIRADS score of 4C and the radiologist was very concerned about the way the calcifications looked and that they were likely malignant. (I asked for the honest truth- so she's wasn't being purposefully discouraging).

So... now what do I do with myself for two weeks while I wait for the biopsy??? I guess I'd rather be overly prepared for what feels like inevitable news... Of course I will continue to hope and pray for the best possible outcome.

DebAL

aefran, sorry you are dealing with this but you will find support here. Hoping for the best possible outcome for you. There are are alot of waiting periods especially in the beginning. Try not to over research too much and always go to credible sources for your information. Try to keep busy and go about your daily routine. You will be easily distracted but that's to be expected. Its also normal to feel panic one minute then relatively calm the next.. Get outside for a walk etc..Hang in there. We are here for you!

Moderators

Dear aefran,

We are sorry that you find yourself here and we are glad that you reached out to share your story. There is a lot of support here as you wait for your biopsy with members who understand the stress of waiting for information. Please keep us posted and let us know how we can be a help to you.

The Mods

AliceBastable

Please don't make the mistake of thinking you can read what a technician is thinking. She was wearing a mask so you couldn't see her face anyway. Maybe the radiologist had snapped at her. Maybe she had to pee and didn't have time. You have no way of knowing what she was thinking.

mfk

I was in a similar position earlier this fall. I have dense breast tissue with calcifications, so I'm not surprised when I get called back, but this time they added an ultrasound, so I figured they were more concerned than in the past. Based on those results, they scheduled me for a biopsy. That was ten days out plus a week for the results. Easy for me to say, but I'd do very little at this point. Until you know the specifics of the diagnosis with the results of the pathology report, you might find yourself researching more than what's relevant. I used the time to knock off some chores that I thought I should get out of the way in case it went the wrong way - replaced my tires, bought new glasses, that sort of thing. Can share some particulars about the biopsy if you're interested.

Roo73

Aefran, you've received great advice from everyone here.

Like mfk, I found it soothing to do things to make life nicer that I really should have done long ago... bought a new duvet cover to replace the one I'd been repairing over and over for years. Replaced the stupid potholders that someone gave me and that don't actually work with new ones from the dollar store. Repaired the torn lining in my purse so that it no longer "eats" my keys. Had some guys in to clean the carpets.

One thing I know now, which took me a while to get my head around, is that a high BIRADS score doesn't imply that the malignancy (if indeed it is one) is aggressive or advanced, or even that it's invasive (also, remember that it's not the calcifications themselves that are malignant—they are just a marker that points to some sort of cell damage). You hear things like "highly suspicious for malignancy" and it sounds terrifying, but that is the correct terminology even if they just think it's DCIS. The high score simply means that your lesion (calcifications in your case) ticks a certain number of boxes and therefore needs to be checked further.

I don't know if that helps, but, personally, at a certain point I realized that I was conflating probability with severity, to put it in risk assessment terms. Highly probable doesn't equal very severe.

I'm hoping and praying with you for that good outcome, and I know how hard all this is.

aefran

Thank you so much everyone for the kind responses and suggestions. It's been a bit since I've hopped on as my mother hurt her back and came to stay with us to heal. It's definitely occupied my time. Thankfully she's on the mend and will be heading home soon.

I like the idea of knocking out a bunch of chores... My house could use a good deep cleaning. Maybe this will be the week!

My doctor's office called and read me the report and apparently there are signs of architectural distortion as well. I do appreciate what you said, @Roo73. Just because it looks probable, doesn't mean it's necessarily going to be severe.

Thank you everyone!

aefran

Had my biopsy this morning. Even though I don't have any answers yet, I do feel somewhat relieved in being one step closer. The doctor indicated she believed it would be cancer, BUT she did confirm that several benign conditions look very similar. So there's still hope. She also re-confirmed that even if it is cancer, it's likely very early and treatable and I will just have to devote a small phase of my life to taking care of it. I appreciated her non-nonsense but also non-alarmist mentality. Thanks again for everyone's support!

SmoothOperator78

aefran- we can hope for the best. Let us know how it goes, okay?

aefran

I got the call today. Invasive ductal carcinoma and DCIS. I don’t know if I’m saying that correctly. I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon with the surgeon to hopefully learn more about what the journey will hold. I’m oddly more at peace with this information than with the unknown of the last couple of weeks.

Rrobin0200

aefran,

I felt the same way as you when I received my BIRADS 4C score. It’s the unknown that is so anxiety provoking. However, once I had my diagnosis, I was oddly at peace. So, your feelings are totally normal and validated. Everyone on this board was so encouraging, and even though many told me that the anxiety lessens as soon as a plan is put in place, I didn’t believe them. Trust me, it’s the truth… you feel more in control of the situation when a plan is decided. I love your doctor’s comment as well. You’ve got this. And if you need any advice, words of wisdom or just a place to vent, you’ve got us to guide you!! Merry Christmas.