stereotactic biopsy

[nannio]

My mammo showed I have a small calcification that wasnt there 2 years ago, plus she said there is in another area a cluster but cant quite see it that they will check me in 6 months for.  My dilema is...do I go for this biopsy or not?  Calcifications I read are not cancerous, and maybe I should wait and see if this changes within the next 6 months of my check up...Breast cancer doesnt run in my family, I have never had a problem with my breast before...Any insite or suggestions or feelings about this?  Im so confused.

I spoke with the Radiologist since I was tossing the idea of what to do around a bit, she was very informative and spoke with me for as long as I needed.  She said in her field she is trained to do Biopsy if a calcification looks suspicious and by suspicious she means that there is a particular shape to a possible cancerous micro calcification that in such cases is strongly without a doubt MUST be biopsied and then there is mine which isnt considered suspicious it doesnt have the characteristic of a suspicious calcification and because it doesnt its considered undetermined, with that said, she is also trained to automatically do a biopsy because its undetermined, meaning it could be nothing, or maybe something but it doesnt fit the norm.  With that said, she is doing another set of images tomorrow  (Friday) to check the other area where she thought she saw possible clusters and hope to get a clearer view (update...there is a clear view and their are clusters in another area, not suspicous but deemed un-determined).  she said we can wait 6 months on the biopsy and see if the calcification changes at all...she said if it does by chance it usually is minor and wouldnt put me in any risk for waiting.  As far as the cluster hopefully there isnt any and that the density of my breasts made it difficult to see.  My son said to me, mom you missed last year getting a mammo, how do you know if this calcification was from last year and did change but you just dont know it because you missed last year?  Then 6 months later if you wait, puts you possibly in a bad situation if it is something.  why not check it, know what it is, or isnt.  Then you can sleep at night and know what to compare all your other calcifications to and you dont have to do anymore biopsy.  He has a point...I know he loves me and just wants me to be safe...  The Radiologist said Im not gonna be a mark to have biopsys over and over again because I have the titanium marker in me and everyone will want to check everything that shows up, lol she said it doesnt work that way...its to see what type of micro calcification is showing up...Well, she told me to take my time and think about it, and if I dont want to have it done the day Im suppose to have it done I can still back out that day, and she will note on my chart that I can have it done any time I feel ready to just call and schedule if I change my mind...Im not leaning one way or the other yet...well not true...Im tipping towards having it done a bit, since my son chimed in .....

[Hvala]

I had a baseline mammogram at age 35 and calcifications showed up.  The radiologist suggested follow up in 6 months. I had a repeat mammo in 8 mos and shortly thereafter I was having a biopsy done. I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer with 1 positive node. There was no breast cancer in my family. Since early detection is key...and if your insurance will cover it...get the biopsy done. :) Good luck with your decision and kudos to your son!

[nannio]

Thank You :)

[japdip]

Well, from your post I think you are leaning one way and it isn't the way you state at the end :) Calcifications are of no particular significance IF they are just scattered about in the breast tissue but as the Radiologist told you, when they are seen in groups or clustered in a certain way they are suspicious and do need to be biopsied. I suppose it comes down to how much of a gambler you happen to be. There is one other option ... a Breast MRI which is a much more sensitive test and is able to "see" things that the other routine tests cannot. If you're still on the fence you might give this a thought and discuss it with your Physician. Pat that Son on the back for me, will you ??? He definitely has his Mom's best interest at heart !!!!  Kindest regards ....