Calcified breast lumps?

Redsox081904 · Guest

Could someone please tell me what is a calcified breast lump? Thank you

Link · Guest

Hi,
I am not certain, but I think you may be refering to "calcifications". Sometimes during a mamogram to diagnose a breast lump, they find calcificatins in or around the lump. Small, tightly clustered calcifications need further investigation. Large calcifications, widely spaced apart are generally considered safe and just a sign of normal wear and tear of breast tissue.

I hope that this is a correct response to the term that you are referring to.

imadare6 · Regular Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 20 Location: Indiana

I have just had 2 surgeries, first to remove calcifications, think I had 3 very tiny ones. The margin was not clear on one side so he had to reexcise and then it was clear. I did not have any lump. These are tiny things that when arranged a certain way has the possibility of being cancer. They actually call DCIS, in Situ as being precancerous, even though the cells removed are dead cancer cells. (A rose by any other name.) DCIS can also be invasive which is worse though they say both can be cured. I am now waiting to hear if I can have MammoSite instead of the 6 week radiation treatment - and getting very antsy.
Peggy

Muttsmom · Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:08 pm Post subject: Re: Calcified breast lumps?

I don't know why a doctor would say the word Cure when it comes to any kind of breast cancer, there is no cure. You can stay NED (No Evidence of Disease) but any dx of BC has the chance of coming back, either in the same breast or the liver, lungs, brain etc.
I don't know if this is the norm, but a friend of mine had microcalifications but none clustered enough to do a biopsy on them. They waited and watched even though she had BC in the other breast the year prior and wanted another mastectomy. Finally, when they did cluster enough for a biopsy, it was cancer. Not to say this is true for everyone, and I know in some cases, not many, that you have to wait and see if there is no way to check them out. I might get a 2nd opinion and definately stay on top of it. IF it is cancer, some are very slow growing and some are very aggressive.
Praying for B9 for you
Nancy
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

kaz · New User Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 6 Location: Vancouver

Imadare6
Please could you tell me more about the surgeries you had to remove calcifications. I am in the same situation that you were in, calcifications and no lumps. Did you have a biopsy, what type did you have? I am waiting for an appointment for my biopsy, unfortunately I don't know type of biopsy I am going to have yet. Thank you in advance and I hope all is well with you.
kaz

Madge · Regular Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Posts: 27

Hi Kaz,

I know this is a horrible time for you, worrying and wondering. I had microcalcifications and ended up with a sterotactic bx. It really was ok, not too uncomfortable. You lay on a table that has a hole your breast falls into. They "clamp" the breast and look at live pictures so they can see where they need to go. They take multiple biopsies about the size of a pencil lead ---- but only after you are numbed. I had a wonderful nurse who explained everything before it happened. Once I was diagnosed I opted for a bilateral. I had a biopsy on the opposite breast three years previous for calcifications and my mother had Paget's disease which is a form of cancer of the breast. Also, my total area was >5CM and I am older so a bilateral seemed the most sensible.

I wish you luck and know that you are among a very caring and sharing group of women on this website. Don't be afraid to ask quesitons. Write your questions down, if indeed you have BC (and you may not!) start a diary, take a familymember/friend with you to visits ... another pair of ears is priceless,

Bless you!
_________________
Madge
61-years young
Dx - 7/04
Bilateral Mastectomy (skin sparing) 8/19/04
Negative nodes
Micro-invasive DCIS, DCIS, LCIS
Stage T1a
ER/PR -
Her2 3+
No chemo, no radiation
Waiting for reconstruction

kaz · New User Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 6 Location: Vancouver

Thanks Madge. I have been told today that I am to have a core biopsy, hopefully my appointment will be sooner than later. Thank you for sharing your experience - the biopsy procedure doesn't sound as bad as I thought it would be.

Will keep you informed of my progress
Thanks
Kaz

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Nancy and others

I have to add that there is definitely a cure for early breast cancer. Early stage tumors that are completely resected and are < 1 cm and non-invasive can be considered cured. I have seen many patients that are cured from breast cancer, and they do very well.

regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

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