Surgery for Calcifications/Cancer from Calcifications

I am sorry you are in this situation! Is there a cancer center near you, where you can go for a second opinion? You get to choose where that happens and I always suggest outside the local network if possible. Also please go to one of the breast cancer advocacy sites and you can gain a wealth of information there. Now to your primary question, calcifications might not be cancer. Calcifications can be pre cancer, and a cluster of them certainly should be looked at closer. Better to stop it before it has a chance to get started, if it is those kinds of changes. They frequently cannot answer that until it is under a microscope. Sadly this type of lack of communication is too common, I ask doctors to be blunt, it serves us both and builds trust.
This is just one place where you can read good information on line.
https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-support-groups

Thanks but I live in a small town where there are limited options. No help from my doctor regarding a second opinion. I know it's serious but I don't trust the doctors involved. Time to find away to get out of state.

@fitchick40
What a predicament.... I would call the surgeon's office, explain the situation to his/her nurse navigator (they all have one under various names), and ask if the surgeon would be so kind as to refer you to another hospital's radiology department for a second opinion.

Hi @fitchick40
Would you be kindly enough to share what have happened next? I’m running in the same situation and my doctor is just not care. I’m currently waiting for my initial consultation with breast surgeon for the surgical excision to remove the calcification (that was what the radiologist recommended)

I am so sorry to hear you are having this problem. I had a mammogram and calcifications were found. The radiologist recommended I have a stereostatic biopsy. The biopsy showed atypical ductal hyperplasia and I eas sent to a breast surgeon for a lumpectomy. Cancer wasn't found, but I was sent to an oncologist and prescribed anastrozole to reduce estrogen and prevent cancer. I think you should get a second opinion and a biopsy. Early detection has probably prevented cancer in the future for me. Be proactive and best wishes.

I have just had breast surgery for calculations last Tuesday mine is pre cancer invasive and contained in the milk ducts. After biopsies taken this was the result. The surgery was fine as I was out felt like I had been asleep for 5 minutes but was 4 hours. Its was 4cm but they removed 6cm to hopefully get it all. Will go back after a month for results hopefully only need the one operation if 2nd needed will go through the nipple then some radiation. They tell us to check our breasts for lumps but not much out there for calculations. Only found out through routine breast check. It is Important I would say to persuue this further. I don't understand why they cannot do biopsies first. Hope this helps.

Sorry none invasive

fitchick40: All the advice you received was excellent, but you posted in 2019 - what was your outcome now?
My story: I am 70. From my very first mammo (age 40?) I was told dense breasts and microcalcifications. Both breasts, I am small chested also.
All of my annual mammo's were followed by sonogram b/c of this & spot compression mammo's.
Everything was always all clear, I expected this. December 2024 the same situation. 1 year later 2025, suddenly areas of "concern" more testing resulting in 4 biopsies, 2 in each breast. 2 areas of "atypical ductal hyperplasia" and 2 areas of invasive cancer/in-situ in each breast. Bilateral mastectomy done May 2025. Surgery was NEVER even mentioned to me for the calcifications in 30 years. I was always "cleared". And I had multiple radiologists throughout my life - NJ, NY and PA. When I asked my surgeon "why" breast cancer she simply said "you are a woman and you are 70". End of story. Yes, microcalcifications are NOT good and I believe as I aged they went haywire...resulting in cancer. I am doing OK now. Hope 6 years later, you are OK??
Please let us know, if you can.
Hugs.

I had calcifications and yes, a needle biopsy does not work - they had to cut open to get the tissue sample. I had lumpectomy 12 years ago and no further treatment. It has not turned into breast cancer. I got IDC in the opposite breast 10 years ago. But not related to the calcifications.

Last summer, they found calcifications. They did a biopsy and it was cancer. Please reach out to another doctor and get a second opinion.