stereotactic biopsy following “suspicious” Microcalcifications
I have been ubder the care of a breast doctor for three years regarding my dense breast tissue and calcifications. Rewind to 8 months ago, I discovered a strange lump on my left breast in which it sparked a diagnostic mammo and ultrasound. My first one was performed in July 2018. It was sent over to my primary care physician who shrugged it off even though it was “suspicious and abnormal". I asked to be referred back out to my breast doctor that I had seen prior. I met with her the following month August 2018. She stated some things about the microcalcifications and what not, but honestly she didn't really seem concerned, at least she just said that she wanted to “watch and wait" and to follow up with another diagnostic mammo and ultrasound January 2019. This test was performed last week like clockwork. I had the mammogram done first, they had me wait while they sent it to the radiologist to make sure he could read it and everything he needed was there. I was given the OK to go to the ultrasound tech for her to perform her test. Although she seem to have some concerns with looking at it as she kept on going back-and-forth from her computer (looking at old prior images) to current trying to locate certain things and make sure she had all the pictures she needed for the radiologist . I then went and waited while she contacted the radiologist for an OK to go ahead and leave, only this time I was called back to talk to the radiologist over the phone. He explained to me that I had clusters of microcalcifications .....then went on to say he had looked at the prior images with the microcalcifications but he had some new concern now because they had changed pattern, shape and size. He was concerned with my family history of cancer and my current complaints of feeling unwell. He wanted a biopsy done as soon as possible. Yesterday they called me to schedule the biopsy in which the woman,who was extremely friendly explained to me that I would be getting a stereotactic breast biopsy. It would take 90 to 120 minutes and I would have the results back within 48 hours. I've yet to see my actual mammogram reports. I'm going to go up to the testing facility to pick them up now. Should I be worried about these calcifications? Could it be a coincidence or this for the reasons I've felt ubder the weather and lost a significant amount of weight lately to this??
Comments
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From what I have read (and I would others will write this as well) 80% of microcalcifications are benign (benign and you will be fine) and they are from fibrocystic changes. If they are malignant it is typically an early form of cancer or "pre-cancer" DCIS. I am not a medical professional, but I don't think that would make you feel unwell or make you lose weight. Could it be stress from all of the back and forth you have been getting?!
In your picture, you look young. Do you mind revealing your age? I also have microcalcifications that they want to biopsy. I waited a year and got a re-image and they think there are some new ones, but they have a hard time seeing if there are new MCs. I asked John Hopkins "Ask an Expert" for data about women under 40 with microcalcifications that are malignant and they didn't have any data.
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it's definitely not stress from this I can tell you that. I I am barely at 80 pounds now. My husband described it perfectly as “muscle wasting"...... I Do you have severe G.I., issues which I've had for 20 years of my life and have gotten worse over the last 24 months, but in the last six months the weight loss is not completely contributed to that. Theres something going on. I have other symptoms as well. My lymph nodes in my body are enlarged specifically the ones under my chin area and a few other lumps in my neck that I've pointed out to my primary care doctor, the unbearable fatigue..... i'm supposed to go to physical therapy three times a week for the bulging disc's in my neck, which I started right before Christmas. I only went two weeks, as I came down with a really bad cold and had to take off two weeks. I tried back yesterday and having no muscle and being literally a skeleton, it was all I could do to fight back the tears. last night I felt the full effects of the physical therapy that I probably shouldn't of tried.
I can't explain it anymore, except that Its not just the from stress. If you saw me and you didn't know me, you would look at me and say “that woman looks like she's dying" ........
Oh amd I’m 47 years old.
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I went through something similar last year. I had cluster calcifications as well. I had the stereo biopsy, which was very quick. The hardest part is getting positioned so they can find the spot & insert the needle. I was in and out lickedy split! My stereo biopsy showed atypical ductal hyperplasia, so I had to go in for an excisional biopsy to make sure there wasn't anything cancerous lurking in that area. They were able to remove the entire ADH area, and no cancer was found. Now I have to go every six months for mammo and US or MRI, mammo & US. Thinking of you. I hope everything turns out in your favor. The good news is the majority of these turn out to be benign! Keep us posted!
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I had a cluster of microcalcifications in 2017 as well which ended up being flat epithelial atypia with atypical ductal hyperplasia on my right breast. I was told it was a benign condition that increases your risk of developing cancer in the future. In 2018, cancer was found on the left side so I opted for a double mx to reduce any future risk as much as possible. Anytime something changes, they should sample tissue to make sure. Best of luck to you. Sending you love from Pennsylvania.
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I'm so sorry you're having a rough time, Mspfief44. Please keep asking questions of your doctors!
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