Don't like this feeling of Deja Vu!

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momzr
momzr Member Posts: 111
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I had an episode of DCIS in my left breast almost three years to the day in the summer of '08 discovered from a digital mammogram that showed a cluster of microcalcifications (about a 4mm area).  I had a lumpectomy which removed all the DCIS (1.6mm) and had no further treatment at the time (based on lengthy conversations with Medical Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, and Surgeon).  I have been very diligent about screening and follow up since that time with MRI's as well as mammograms.

I went in last week for 'annual screening' and they are again seeing microcalc's (this time about a 9 mm area and they are a little spread throughout those 9 mm with maybe about 8-10 total) in that left breast.  It is in a different area than they were three years ago, but are again suggesting a surgical excision/biopsy to check them out.  The radiologist as well as the mamm tech were very apologetic that this was what they were recommending and I was not getting a warm fuzzy vibe from them although I think that may have been because they were suggesting it would have to be a wire-guided biopsy rather than a stereotactic as I am just too small for a stereotactic to work. 

I go next week to meet with surgeon who did my surgical excision/lumpectomy three summers ago to schedule another go-round.  My fear is that being as small busted as I am (not even an A cup) he might say that another lumpectomy would leave me with nothing and might suggest mastectomy - which I would have a really hard time wanting to consider when I don't even know that these microcalc's are 'anything' at this point.  I am really just borrowing trouble and speculating, but I do know he had said three years ago he did not want to go back in for a re-excision as there was nothing more he could take. 

I am basically just angry right now and don't know what to do with all these angry feelings!  Anyone have microcalc's recurrence after their first diagnosis and have them be 'nothing' the second time around?

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited July 2011

    I just responded to your same post in the "Recurrence" forum.  Here's a copy of my response:

    If these new calcs are in a different area of your breast then I don't think there is any reason to believe that they are any more likely to be cancerous than with any other calcs - i.e. there's about a 20% chance that they might be cancer, and an 80% chance that they aren't.

    Are you worried that your surgeon might suggest a mastectomy before even doing the excisional biopsy, or as a way to do the biopsy? I can't imagine that any surgeon would do that. And if yours does, then find yourself another surgeon.

    I never had the same situation as you but at the time of my diagnosis, I had calcs found in both breasts. The calcs in my right breast were DCIS (with a microinvasion of IDC) but the calcs in my left breast were biopsied and found to be benign. So I can tell you with certainty that it possible for one person to have cancerous calcs and benign calcs. And I know that there have been women who've been through the board who've had biopsies done after their BC surgery and the results have been benign.

    Good luck! Hoping for benign results for you.

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  • louishenry
    louishenry Member Posts: 417
    edited July 2011

    A year after my DCIS dx, I went in for my mammogram and some new calcs were found in my DCIS breast, but in a different quadrant. I had a biopsy and they were benign.

    Yours most likely are as well.

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