First follow-up mammo: new calcifications in the same breast

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CeciliaVera
CeciliaVera Member Posts: 59
edited August 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hi, all.  Had my first follow-up mammo this morning after Aug 16, 2013 dx at age 41 of DCIS + IDC, stage 1, grade 2, oncotype 16, er+, pr+, her2-.  The radiologist said there were some new calcifications about 2 cm from the original tumor site.  She tried to consult with my MO, but MO is not in the office today.  

Can anyone weigh in?  

For a little background: I had a lumpectomy in late August and radiation last fall; tried tamoxifen but couldn't tolerate it, so I discontinued it (and have been under the care of a naturopath re: herbs, etc. for treating estrogen-positive cancer naturally).  I read that calcifications can actually be *caused* by prior radiation to the breast, but the radiologist didn't mention that today.  She did tell me not to worry (ha, that's funny), and that she doesn't want to "stick needles in" if there is no reason for concern, but personally, I would much rather have a biopsy and a definitive answer than play the wait-and-see game.  I left a message with my MO to that effect so that when the mammogram people and the MO connect, my opinion will be in the mix--for whatever it's worth.

Genetic screening for BRCA 1 & 2 scheduled for two days from now.

Your thoughts and knowledge would be greatly appreciated!  Has anyone had more calcifications near the original tumor site?  What was done?  How did things go?  Thanks in advance.

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  • CeciliaVera
    CeciliaVera Member Posts: 59
    edited July 2014

    Oh--forgot to mention that my margins were clean and 0/2 nodes were involved in what was discovered last August.  That's the first thing the radiologist asked me--if my margins were clean after last summer's surgery.

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited July 2014

    Im sorry you are going through this... I too would want the biopsy.  Praying all turns out fine. Keep us posted.

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  • Lindissima
    Lindissima Member Posts: 239
    edited July 2014

    Hi Cecelia,

    I just had a core biopsy for a lump discovered on mammogram, confirmed by ultrasound, so I understand your concern.  I am waiting for the results.

    I can't really add any knowledge here, just want to give your post a' bump' in case others can weigh in. Perhaps you could ask why they don't want to stick needles in??  Seems like an odd coment. 

    Keep us posted on what happens.  Take care!

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  • CeciliaVera
    CeciliaVera Member Posts: 59
    edited July 2014

    Thanks for the kind thoughts, Bevin.  Lindissima, I have my fingers crossed for you. Is your lump near the same place as before?  I can't tell from your sig if you had a mastectomy or lumpectomy...By the way, my original dx is pretty much identical to yours, except mine was August 2013.

    I'm scheduled for a follow-up mammo tomorrow so the radiologist can get another look.  She also wanted to examine the specimen from last summer's surgery and look at the pathology report, which she couldn't access on Monday at the time of that mammogram.  I did let her know that I would much rather have a biopsy than do a "watchful waiting" sort of thing.  Fortunately, I feel like she understands that and will honor that wish if it's feasible.  

    If anyone else had an experience like this, please feel free to let us know what happened!  Take care, all.

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  • Ellie44
    Ellie44 Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2014

    Had my first follow up thursday. Tech said the radioligist looked at the film and everything looked fine. Well in the mail today comes a letter from them. There's an area, most certainly benign it said. Thats what they said the first time. how worried should i be.

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited July 2014

    Ellie- praying everything is ok. when is your follow-up and what is the plan?

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  • Megan2
    Megan2 Member Posts: 70
    edited July 2014

    This just happened to me too. I finished treatment last spring and had a baseline mammogram done last July as the post treatment reference mammogram.  The mammogram from this Tuesday says it shows "a small focal area of calcification. This is a new finding". It is beside the tumor site. My surgeon and MO seem fine with it. I looked up calcifications, and certainly many are benign, but it also seems worrisome to have this develop close to where an invasive cancer had resided..... In a "focused area".  I have no followup planned, except the usual ongoing quarterly checkups, and a mammogram again in a year. 

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  • micronancy
    micronancy Member Posts: 51
    edited July 2014

    You can add me to the group. Just had my 18 month mammo and although the radiologist said everything looked fine, the report I got said they found " an area of concern that probably was benign", and suggested a 6 month follow up. I think I'll give my MO a call and find out if she wants to do further testing. Has me a little nervous since I had only a lumpectomy--  no rads or hormonals.

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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited July 2014

    mostly, it is the smaller microcalcifications that they are worried about. calcifications (mostly) show up in the breast tissue, and come in different shapes. they usually do take note of them,  (mostly) as a reference point. microcalcifications (mostly) arise in the lobules or ducts, which is why they also take note of them! and then, (mostly), they like to wait and watch.

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  • Bezy4
    Bezy4 Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2014

    Hi!  Just this week I too was told after my yearly mammogram that there is calcium deposits near the scar tissue and I am scheduled for a stereotactic biopsy.  Everyone says that it's nothing but like you I would feel better having it taken out and looked at. It does have me curious why some would say let's just watch it where my radiologist was eager to do the biopsy.  I  would like to hear from anyone that has had this happen to them.  I hope all goes well with you and that we both can get answers soon.

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  • Megan2
    Megan2 Member Posts: 70
    edited August 2014

    I don't know. I was just told not to worry about. I did some research after, and it seems most micro calcifications are benign. The ones that are worrisome are pleomorphic or branching, and mine was not described as either. I am presuming that since the radiologist, breast surgeon and oncologist all agree it is something that can just be monitored, it should be ok.

    Try looking up www.radiologyassistant.nl 

    It gives a good overview of breast calcifications, and may put your mind at rest. It did mine. 

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