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Star13
Star13 Member Posts: 83
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)


hello...


I have not been dx with DCIS. I have a few questions back in Jan. I had my first mammo ( I am 39) and was immediately given magnified views and a ultrasound, due to one small cluster of 10+ microcalcifications. Never talked with radiologist but was given a BIRAD 3. Fast forward to Oct I had my follow up diagnostic mammo and was given a BIRAD 4. Come to find out for my BS it was due to a increase in calcifications.. That's all I know and I need a stereotactic biopsy ( which I decided to due after the holidays in Jan) would a increase in calcifications in that short period and the fact that they are clustered lean more towards DCIS? Also when I look at my films from the Jan.mammo ( don't have ones from Oct) I see what looks like some very tiny calcifications in a line ( not rod shaped more like very tiny dots with spaces)


Thanks for your help!

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  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited December 2013


    You are doing the right thing by getting the biopsy done. In my own case, my DCIS did not show up on an ultrasound or mammo....so these things are just screening tools, we don't get as clear of a picture from then as we wish we did. You can also ask for a MRI...but in my opinion a biopsy is the way to go when unsure.


    I wish you the best.

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  • Star13
    Star13 Member Posts: 83
    edited December 2013


    Thank you, nothing showed up on ultrasound, they have now checked both times after mammos . Only thing showing up are these very tiny cluster of microcalcifications that I have now been told have increased. It's weird how when I talked to the radiologist he never mentioned this increase but my BS told me when he called to tell me next step is biopsy. He seemed somewhat concerned... I asked if we I could just wait it out 6months and repeat mammo his answer was " No, we have waited long enough"

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  • Undercat
    Undercat Member Posts: 12
    edited December 2013


    Different imaging techniques are good at finding different things. Ultrasounds (and MRIs) aren't good at seeing microcalcifications, but mammograms are. Plus, some breasts are harder to "see" stuff in than others.


    If your BS wants you to do the biopsy, I'd do it. Better to catch something early if it is cancer, and if it's not, you won't have to worry as much when six months rolls around.

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  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited December 2013


    Hey Star, how are you doing? Best advice is to get the biopsy....then you know what you are dealing with.


    let us know how you are doing/coping with everything.

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  • Star13
    Star13 Member Posts: 83
    edited December 2013


    Thanks crystalphm... Just waiting it out. Have biopsy scheduled for first week in Jan. I go back in forth between worrying and not worrying. It's pretty much ruining my holiday. Don't think I would be that concerned but the surgeon seemed concerned that the microcals changed between follow up mammos ( 6 months) guess that's a bad sign

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  • percy4
    percy4 Member Posts: 477
    edited December 2013

    Hi Star - Know this is an uncomfortable time for you.  My chance of having a negative upon biopsy, based on films, was 80%.  I'd always been in the "lucky" percent in any kind of biopsy I had before (and hopefully you will be too). No calcs visible on MRI (didn't have ultrasound), which they often aren't. My stereotactic came back positive for low-grade DCIS.  Still, I wasn't sure, thought it might have never turned into anything important, but did lumpectomy (really easy) and it found more low and even a bit of intermediate DCIS, nothing invasive.  The bottom line is this.  If it's there, you want to know about it.  Waiting and wondering is the worst.  All of us would like for this to never have happened.  Still; the end result, even if not negative, can be just fine.  All my DCIS was easily removed, and I'm moving on with my Life, knowing the nasty cells are out of me.  And, after only one surgery, my breast looks fine.  I think you'll feel much better when you know all, and you'd be amazed at how resiliant your body and spirit are.  Wishing you the best outcome. - P.

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  • wyo
    wyo Member Posts: 541
    edited December 2013


    I agree with many on this forum- knowing is better. I am surprised the time from them deciding on bx and doing it is so long actually. In many places the biopsy is done the same day the diagnostic mammo shows areas of concern. Are you having a surgical biopsy? you mentioned a breast surgeon

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  • Star13
    Star13 Member Posts: 83
    edited December 2013


    I originally had a Birad3 back in Jan and was told to see a breast surgeon just to have him eval it which I did and he advised me I was fine waiting 6 months to have a follow up which I never got around to going until Oct. The Oct mammo showed a increase in microcals and birad4, my surgeon advised me to get a stereotactic biopsy this was in Nov. just wanted to get through Thanksgiving and Xmas so I scheduled it for second week in Jan.


    I am so scared of the procedure and the outcome. I have had a palpable thickening not far for the microcals for almost two years which doesn't show up on either mammo or ultrasound, keep being told the breast ages as we get older and things shift around? I am only 39. The breast that has the microcals "to me" feel so much different than my other breast.


    Thank you all for your help!

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