grouping of calcifications in the branching configuration

Jassi1105 · July 2015

I just received my mammogram results (second mammogram done in a week, 1 ultrasound) and it came back with this.

FINDINGS: Additional magnification view in the MLO projection was performed as well as an exaggerated CC view. Best seen on the MLO projection, there is a grouping of calcifications in the branching configuration with some linear morphology. These are not well seen in the CC projection. These are indeterminate in appearance.

IMPRESSION: Stereotactic-guided breast biopsy is recommended for early branching calcifications within the upper portion of the right breast seen in the MLO projection only.

This was found because I had another biopsy done in the same breast back at the end of March. At that time, it came back benign but they were doing a follow up on that and found these now; which wasn't present then. Everything I read doesn't sound good but I was just wondering if anyone else has had this and it came back ok or what are the chances of it being bad? My doctor had mentioned since I didn't have any family history he will wait on doing a MRI but I found out over the weekend I have cousins on my mother's side (older than I am) are both battling it or just finished treatment. Would you count them as a family history?

Any thoughts would be appreciated

Moderators · July 2015

Jassi1105, sorry you are here, and nervous about what is going on. You would probably call that a family history, or at least worthy of telling your physician about. Sounds like they will need to take a biopsy in any case, just to check things out and get more information. We are thinking of you, and please keep us posted.

from the Mods

CAMommy · July 2015

hi, I'm sorry you are here. I had a few micro calcs that were in a line with a little branch to one. My radiologist pretty much told me to expect DCIS before my biopsy so I was more prepared when it came back positive for DCIS. I was very scared too, but the more I read, the better I felt about it. There is a chance you could still be negative, so try not to worry until you have something to worry about

As for family history, I don't think cousins count. They didn't even count my grandma. They told me parents and siblings count the most. You can always mention it though.

Tresjoli2 · July 2015

calcifications were my only tip off to my cancer..have the biopsy done.

Jassi1105 · July 2015

Thank you all for your feedback and support. Can you tell me if it does come back positive, what about working? Can I be treated and still work? I'm a mother of 3; ages 12,8, and 7 and have a full time job. I'm only 34 and not working may be an issue..? Any advise on this and possible treatments

MsPharoah · July 2015

Jassi, it is very possible to work through BC treatment, but that depends on what type of treatment you need and how you specifically respond to the treatment. If you need a mastectomy, the recovery is longer than lumpectomy. I had lumpectomy, chemo and radiation and worked throughout, but....I have no small children to care for and my husband pretty much took care of everything around the house. And I have an office job.

I do think you are getting ahead of yourself, though as we are all hoping that you have a B9 biopsy and you won't have to deal with any treatments at all! I am not sure what your Birads score was, but if it was a 4, you have a 75-80% chance that the calcifications are benign.

MsP

Anonymous · July 2015

Jassi---don't get ahead of yourself. The majority of calcifications are benign (more suspicious are the ones that are clustered or linear, but even those can also turn out benign): since your recent ones were found to be benign, most likely these are too! Try not to worry so much ahead of time, I know that is easier said than done. but worry won't change anything, it is just a waste of time and emotional energy.

anne

Anonymous · July 2015

Jassi---don't get ahead of yourself. The majority of calcifications are benign (more suspicious are the ones that are clustered or linear, but even those can also turn out benign): since your recent ones were found to be benign, most likely these are too! Try not to worry so much ahead of time, I know that is easier said than done. but worry won't change anything, it is just a waste of time and emotional energy.

anne

DiabeticCancerChick · July 2015

I had a tumor that was 2.3 cm IDC with branching calcifications radiating above it and there were 4 spots in that area that lit up on the MRI. Only the tumor turned out to be malignant, but my surgeon told me that the cells in that area above my tumor were the kind that often behave badly down the road, and so a lumpectomy was pretty much ruled out (didn't want one anyway). In fairness, I don't know if it was specifically the "branching calcifications" aspect that was so suspicious, but that was certainly my impression when she explained it to me.

614 · July 2015

Dear MsPharoah:

What does (FISH) mean?

Dear Jassi:

Good luck. I wish you the best. 80% of all suspicious areas/lumps are benign. Please try not to worry. That being said, definitely have a biopsy. I would inform your doctor that your cousins had cancer. That information would definitely factor in if you have genetic testing. It is great that your doctors followed up with you and referred you for additional testing.

I had a double lumpectomy in my left breast and then a breast reduction and a breast lift so that my breasts and nipples would match after surgery. (My breasts are awesome now!) That surgery was very easy and I was able to function quickly. I was up and around the next day. (Of course, you can't lift or do anything strenuous or physical right away.)

I had radiation but no chemo. I felt fine during the radiation tx. The only reason that I didn't work throughout my radiation was because I live in Florida and I went to Houston, TX to have my radiation at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. (I had my surgery there too.) I had my ovaries removed because I needed to be medically induced into menopause so that I could take Aromatase Inhibitors. I am not able to metabolize Tamoxifen. The oophorectomy was easy too. I felt absolutely fine and I went walking the next day. I had that surgery done in Florida. I can't comment on chemo though. Sorry.

Good luck. I hope that the area is benign and that you will not need any treatment.

grouping of calcifications in the branching configuration

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