Mammogram found increased number of microcalcifications.

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maccupiccu
maccupiccu Member Posts: 67
edited August 2014 in Benign Breast Conditions

Hi,

I started to get a mammogram regularly at 35 since I am adopted and have an unknown medical history. Plus I was having various cysts that needed to be aspirated. But everything came up normal.

Then at 37 they started to see microcalcifications. No big deal but I would get diagnostic as opposed to regular mammograms and never an ultrasound w/ it. This last mammogram they decided to give me a regular one since my microcalcifications were stable and scattered. I went last week.

I got a call on Friday saying that they need me to go in for a spot mammogram as well as an ultrasound. While scattered, they significantly increased in number. I know scattered microcalcifications are a sign of benign but why would they increase to much?

I don't want to have my mind racing into a what if scenario but it's a bit difficult. Even though I'm adopted, my mom who raised me died of stage IV metastatic breast cancer. All her life she has fibrocystic and benign breast issues with multiple biopsies and lumpectomies. Then she decided to ignore mammograms and all signs of anything odd and then was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer--cancer was everywhere in her body. So witnessing her suffer for 7 years and I have a 6 year old, I'm a bit worried about "what if". (My mom was only supposed to last a 1.5 years based on the magnitude of her disease spread).

Anyone else have a diagnosis of "increased microcalcifications". My last mammogram was 2012. I skipped 2013 because I was taking care of my dad w/ his end stage CHF and depression after my mom passed away in 2012. He passed in Nov. 2013 so things were a tad haywire the last year and a half.


 

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  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited August 2014

    hi maccupiccu,

    I had calcifications that increased in number in 2012 and by January of 2013, it was enough to have a steretactic biopsy. You see the result below in my diagnosis and treatment signature. BUT, I want to stress that because you say that yours are "scattered" it may be a totally insignificant thing with you that they just want to be sure of since they don't know your history. Generally scattered is not anything they worry much about. Mine were clustered. I would follow through with whatever your doctor recommends and go from there. Better always to be safe than sorry is my motto. Best to you!

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  • maccupiccu
    maccupiccu Member Posts: 67
    edited August 2014


    Thank you for your reply. I'm sure it's nothing. And I would be less worried if I didn't have a young child. I'll post the findings once I get them. Wishing your treatment goes well.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2014

    microcalcifications when scattered are not a problem (even a lot in number); it's the ones that are tightly clustered or linear that are sometimes problematic.

    anne

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  • maccupiccu
    maccupiccu Member Posts: 67
    edited August 2014

    They're scheduling me for a stereotactic biopsy. I just got back from the diagnostic mamm and ultrasound. While no mass or clustering was found, they said the duct had some changes so they want to make absolutely sure. I know that initial diagnosis is nothing and I'm sure the biopsy will show nothing but I do appreciate the docs being extra careful. One never knows even with statistical observation.

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited August 2014

    mac, it sounds like you have a good and cautious set of docs, the biopsy is not bad, I have had them and all turned out fine

    best wishes to you and your family

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  • Dancermom1999
    Dancermom1999 Member Posts: 122
    edited August 2014

    Wishing you the best mac.  Mine were clustered and branching - sign of cancer which it was.  Yours are scattered and a sign of being benign.

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  • maccupiccu
    maccupiccu Member Posts: 67
    edited August 2014

    Had the biopsy. I didn't know that while they are scattered, they did find a tight cluster (only knew this after I read my diagnostic/ultrasound results). Here are the results. The biopsy though---so, so, SO happy. It was completely pain free. I couldn't have smiled more when I left. And healing--no bruising or pain.

     

    There has been increase in the number of calcifications in the left breast since exam from
    2012. The calcifications appear amorphous and punctate and are scattered in both the
    upper outer quadrant (spanning approximately 7 cm) and lower inner quadrant (spanning
    approximately 6 cm). The most suspicious of these calcifications is a tight cluster of
    amorphous calcifications within the upper outer quadrant, best seen on the magnified ML
    view of the superior left breast.
    No dominant mass or areas of architectural distortion in the left breast.

    LEFT BREAST ULTRASOUND: On physical examination of the left breast, no palpable mass is
    felt in the upper outer and lower inner quadrants. On targeted left breast ultrasound of
    both areas, there are dilated ducts seen, some of which contain echogenic debris including
    small calcifications, which correlates with the mammographic finding. The dilated ducts
    in the upper outer quadrant demonstrate mildly increased blood flow. Scattered
    complicated cysts are also seen in both areas, the largest of which is at the 2 o'clock
    position 5 cm from the nipple measuring 0.8 x 0.5 cm. No definite target noted for
    biopsy.


    IMPRESSION: Interval increased calcifications in the left breast with the most suspicious
    area being a tight cluster in the upper outer quadrant. No definite discrete, suspicious
    mass is evident on left breast ultrasound. Stereotactic core biopsy is recommended for
    the left upper outer quadrant calcifications. Differential includes low grade DCIS vs.
    fibrocystic change or sclerosing adenosis. Further workup will be dependent on the
    resulting pathology. Results and recommendations were discussed with the patient.

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