My diagnostic mammogram results

KrazyKollector · New User Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 2 Location: NE Ohio

Clinical: Previous Abnormal Mammogram

The tissue of the left breast is heterogeneously dense. This may lower the sensitivity of the mammogram. There is an area of segmental fine calcifications in the left breast at 1 o'clock in the middle depth.

Impression: Suspicious of Malignancy-Assessment Complete.
The area of segmental calcifications in the left breast at 1 o'clock in the middle depth appears suspicious of malignancy. A biopsy is recommended.

The ultrasound paper wasn't included but found a couple of cyst like stuctures (something like that was on the paper) in my left breast and a cyst in the right.

Now, can anyone explain the diagnostic mammogram to me? What does "suspicious of malignancy" mean? That I might have cancer? Probably have cancer? Question

What kind of biopsy should I be looking to get? I see the surgeon tommorow so I nned advice fast, so I don't go into this blind.

TIA
_________________
Suzi

bethanyaok

Hello!! Sorry you are going through this stressul diagnostic time. I am glad you're getting a biopsy. If calcifications are arranged in a certain pattern (often in a cluster or spiderweb appearance) the radiologist will say that it looks suspicious of malignancy (cancer). Being "suspicious of malignancy does not mean that it is cancer. It just means that a biopsy will help determine if it is or is not cancer. This web page explains the diagnostic mammogram http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/abnormalities.asp
and this one explains the BI-RADS rating, http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/acrbi.asp

The only way to know if it's benign (which we hope for!) or malignant is to have a biopsy. There are two kinds which are usually used... one is an excisional biopsy where they surgically remove the suspicious breast tissue. Sometimes this is done with a wire insertion to mark the exact area and confirm it with mammorgrapy before the surgery. Another biopsy is a core biopsy. This procedure involves a radiologist instead of a surgeon. They numb your breast, and use mamography to identify the suspicious tissue and then use a core (wide) needle to extract samples to be biopsied. Both these procedures are explained in depth on this website: www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/biopsy/

I hope you get answers quickly!! Hoping for B-9, but if it is cancer, it's not a death sentence!! Many breast cancers are treatable, and the treatment is do-able!! I'm here six years later to tell you this!!! Take care!!!!
_________________
Bethany
breast cancer dx 4/17/00
4 AC, 28 rads, tamoxifen
7 years NED, and counting!
BRCA2+ 2/1/07

Lost Dad to Lung Cancer June '05

KrazyKollector · New User Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 2 Location: NE Ohio

Thank you! I do see on the bottom of the paper that the code is BI-RADS: 4 Suspicious Abnormality.

So it sounds like it will be b9--at least the odds are good.

I think what worried me is the fact so many more appeared between 2004-and now.

Thank you for the explanation of the biopsies. I was wondering if it would be a FNA or what and what was the best one for calcifications.

It was so nice of you to reply to me. {{HUGS}}

I am SO happy to hear you are doing so well after 6 years. More {{HUGS}}
_________________
Suzi

bethanyaok

<<the code is BI-RADS: 4 Suspicious Abnormality.

So it sounds like it will be b9--at least the odds are good.

I think what worried me is the fact so many more appeared between 2004-and now.

Thank you for the explanation of the biopsies. I was wondering if it would be a FNA or what and what was the best one for calcifications.

It was so nice of you to reply to me. {{HUGS}}

I am SO happy to hear you are doing so well after 6 years. More {{HUGS}}>>

Hi Suzi! I'm glad the links I posted were helpful. BI-RADS 4 is very hopeful!!! FNA is usually not recommended with microcalcifications, it's easy to miss them with the FNA!! Thanks for the {{{HUGS}}} Hugs are always a good thing! Wink

Please post again and let us know how things are going for you!!

Hugs & Many Blessings,
Bethany
_________________
Bethany
breast cancer dx 4/17/00
4 AC, 28 rads, tamoxifen
7 years NED, and counting!
BRCA2+ 2/1/07

Lost Dad to Lung Cancer June '05

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