Breast Calcifications

Options
Hindsfeet
Hindsfeet Member Posts: 2,456
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

The first two breast cancers I've had were found by a mammogram with calcifications. The first time, I was told not to worry that 80% were b9. The second time around, right after the mammo, I was told that it was cancer because of the type of calcifications and it being linear.  Last week, I had another mammogram and they found more calcifications. This time they were tightly clustered with a few scattered above the clustered group. The doc said that it looks like cancer. How can they suspect cancer before the biopsy results come in? The first one seem scattered all in one place, the second one linear, and the third one tightly clustered with stray ones around it. I read something that helped me to see why they would be so bold to tell me that they highly suspect my calcifications were cancer.

http://www.infoacademy.gr/microcalc/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=47

As a rule, irregular, comma shaped, angular or branching calcifications, with or without irregular margins are usually due to a malignant process.

The smallest calcifications, forming a cluster or the most densely packed ones are the ones indicating a probably malignant growth.

Grouped or clustered calcifications, BIRADS categories 4 or 5 are the most common distribution raising suspicion

Linear calcifications are arrayed in a line that may have branching points, but is heading toward the nipple. They may represent an intraductal malignancy spreading through the ductal system and should be included in BIRADS category 4. It

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Hindsfeet
    Hindsfeet Member Posts: 2,456
    edited October 2011

    I want to add here that all three mammograms, although the calcifications differ, they were all highly suspecious to be maglinant. I will know later today my biopsy results. I would not be surprised if it was another dcis dx.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mom3band1g
    mom3band1g Member Posts: 817
    edited October 2011

    Hoping you hear soon and it's not another cancer diagnosis.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dsj
    dsj Member Posts: 277
    edited October 2011

    They can suspect cancer, as you say, by the appearance of calcifications because certain appearances (small, linear, lined in a row) are associated with cancer.  That is, they look like cancer cells that have died. They won't know for sure, of course, until the biopsy.  But if it true that you will have had 3 mammograms showing suspcious calcifications and then have 3 biopsies confirming dcis or anything more serious, then it does seem that DCIS has either reappeared or  remained in your body since your first diagnosis.  If I am remembering right, you did not do radiation.  This would seem to increase the possibility that DCIS remains in your breast.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hindsfeet
    Hindsfeet Member Posts: 2,456
    edited October 2011

    I just got back the biopsy results. NOT GOOD! . It is invasive ductal carcinoma. It is high grade, solid como type with neutrosis. There is also high grade dcis as well. I don't know what to think.

    I am not a good representation of the wait and see approach. Although, I've read here at bco others who had rads and tamoxifen screening come out positive for cancer. You don't know...except that my second dx was multifocal should had scared me into a mx, but then I was self pay.

    After 3 years of research, I have come to understand why my body is broken or not doing well. I am still learning. This last year I knew my immune system was off. I had a mri last December that was hard to read. I wonder if they would had done it again if I would had caught this cancer before it became invasive.

    I don't know for sure what the next step is except that I know I won't do chemo. I have to find a new surgeon. I want the cancer out asap especially knowing its idc. I don't want the invasive cells escaping due to the biopsy...seeding elsewhere.

    The comfort I have is  I know that my life and times are in His hands. I know that God is good, and I will trust in His goodness.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dsj
    dsj Member Posts: 277
    edited October 2011

    I am so sorry. I hope you will be able to talk to doctors who can help you think through your options. It may not be possible to get the cancer out of your body just by surgery. And if that is the case, then maybe medical science has more to offer you. I think patients should make informed decisions. But we also have to remember we are not trained physicians, and no matter how much we read and how proactive are, we cannot have same level of expertise as oncologists.



    Sending you positive energy I hope.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hindsfeet
    Hindsfeet Member Posts: 2,456
    edited October 2011

    I have an appointment with a surgeon next Wednesday. dsj...what I want to do is to build my immune system the killer cells.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CTMOM1234
    CTMOM1234 Member Posts: 633
    edited October 2011

    Wishing you the very best, and like dsj wrote, sending you positive energy!! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited October 2011

    Thank you for this. Two years ago, after my diagnostic mammogram, the radiologist said I needed a biopsy, but was very vague as to what he saw. Tomorrow, I have another diagnostic, this time on the other breast, because another spot of what looks to be calcification showed up on my screening mammogram. If he says I need a biopsy, I am really going to push for him to tell me why, what he is seeing.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories