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Hi I Had A Mammogram A Few Months Ago My
Question: Hi I had a mammogram a few months ago my mammogram have always been normal this one I was called for extra views and the reading went like this afterwards there is a 4mm circumscribed, oval nodule with associted punctate microcalcifications left breast at 11-12:00. Sonography targeting this area demonstrates a probable complicated cyst measuring 0.4 cm,circumscribed, oval parallel, flattened at 11:00, 5cm from the nipple,,non palpable with absent vascularity. BIRDS 3 probably Benign findings, probably complicated cyst fibrocystic changes in background. Would you be so kind to tell me exactly what this means is this cancer could it be cancer? Also said follow 6 months for left diagnostic mammogram. Should I freak out now.please help I need your medical advice.
Hi I had a mammogram a few months ago my mammogram have always been normal this one I was called for extra views and the reading went like this afterwards there is a 4mm circumscribed, oval nodule with associted punctate microcalcifications left breast at 11-12:00. Sonography targeting this area demonstrates a probable complicated cyst measuring 0.4 cm,circumscribed, oval parallel, flattened at 11:00, 5cm from the nipple,,non palpable with absent vascularity. BIRDS 3 probably Benign findings, probably complicated cyst fibrocystic changes in background. Would you be so kind to tell me exactly what this means is this cancer could it be cancer? Also said follow 6 months for left diagnostic mammogram. Should I freak out now.please help I need your medical advice.
Brief Answer:
Currently no cancer is found. Require follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am
I can certainly understand your concern.
I have worked through your attached query and reports in detail.
These mamogram changes are not suggestive of any cancerous changes.
Nothing to worry at this point of time.
Just a keep a follow up with repeat mamogram after 3 to 6 months.
It's advisable to get your both breasts and arm pits physically examined and screen yourself for BRCA 1 and 2 gene mutations ( breast cancer genes) to know the risk of developing a cancer in case if you are above 40 years of age and with a family history of breast disease.
Post your further questions if any
Thank you
Currently no cancer is found. Require follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am
I can certainly understand your concern.
I have worked through your attached query and reports in detail.
These mamogram changes are not suggestive of any cancerous changes.
Nothing to worry at this point of time.
Just a keep a follow up with repeat mamogram after 3 to 6 months.
It's advisable to get your both breasts and arm pits physically examined and screen yourself for BRCA 1 and 2 gene mutations ( breast cancer genes) to know the risk of developing a cancer in case if you are above 40 years of age and with a family history of breast disease.
Post your further questions if any
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Brief Answer:
Currently no cancer is found. Require follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am
I can certainly understand your concern.
I have worked through your attached query and reports in detail.
These mamogram changes are not suggestive of any cancerous changes.
Nothing to worry at this point of time.
Just a keep a follow up with repeat mamogram after 3 to 6 months.
It's advisable to get your both breasts and arm pits physically examined and screen yourself for BRCA 1 and 2 gene mutations ( breast cancer genes) to know the risk of developing a cancer in case if you are above 40 years of age and with a family history of breast disease.
Post your further questions if any
Thank you
Currently no cancer is found. Require follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am
I can certainly understand your concern.
I have worked through your attached query and reports in detail.
These mamogram changes are not suggestive of any cancerous changes.
Nothing to worry at this point of time.
Just a keep a follow up with repeat mamogram after 3 to 6 months.
It's advisable to get your both breasts and arm pits physically examined and screen yourself for BRCA 1 and 2 gene mutations ( breast cancer genes) to know the risk of developing a cancer in case if you are above 40 years of age and with a family history of breast disease.
Post your further questions if any
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Hello Dr.Thank you for answering what are these puncate microcalcifications and what does it mean its associted with the cyst could you explained I am 58 years old my mammograms for the last 20 years have always been normal does this go away? And could this turn to cancer?
Hello Dr.Thank you for answering what are these puncate microcalcifications and what does it mean its associted with the cyst could you explained I am 58 years old my mammograms for the last 20 years have always been normal does this go away? And could this turn to cancer?
Also why does the radiologist put probably and BIRDS3? Does she think it could be cancer? Or not sure?
Also why does the radiologist put probably and BIRDS3? Does she think it could be cancer? Or not sure?
Brief Answer:
Its still a benign condition
Detailed Answer:
Hi Ma’am
I can certainly understand your concern.
I have worked through your attached query in detail.
Micro calcifications represent collection of calcium coming out of dead cells. They can present in both benign and malignant breast disease.
Cystic lesions are relatively common after 40 years of age. The cyst observed in your case is not a simple cyst but has a complicated histology, although it can still be considered as benign.
Complexed cysts unlike simple cysts carry a propensity to turn cancerous over a period of time. Hence they require a careful follow up over a time by periodic mammograms.
BIRADS stands for Breast Imaging reporting and data system. It’s a kind of classification system of breast disorders.
BIRADS has a scoring range from 0 to 6. Till stage 3 the lesions are very much benign and nothing to worry about. It’s a welcoming sign, but it mandates a semi annual follow up with Mammogram.
So your doctor is very clear that it’s benign and not cancerous. It’s now your turn to be sure to assume it to be non cancerous.
Nothing to worry about this Madam.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Its still a benign condition
Detailed Answer:
Hi Ma’am
I can certainly understand your concern.
I have worked through your attached query in detail.
Micro calcifications represent collection of calcium coming out of dead cells. They can present in both benign and malignant breast disease.
Cystic lesions are relatively common after 40 years of age. The cyst observed in your case is not a simple cyst but has a complicated histology, although it can still be considered as benign.
Complexed cysts unlike simple cysts carry a propensity to turn cancerous over a period of time. Hence they require a careful follow up over a time by periodic mammograms.
BIRADS stands for Breast Imaging reporting and data system. It’s a kind of classification system of breast disorders.
BIRADS has a scoring range from 0 to 6. Till stage 3 the lesions are very much benign and nothing to worry about. It’s a welcoming sign, but it mandates a semi annual follow up with Mammogram.
So your doctor is very clear that it’s benign and not cancerous. It’s now your turn to be sure to assume it to be non cancerous.
Nothing to worry about this Madam.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Brief Answer:
Its still a benign condition
Detailed Answer:
Hi Ma’am
I can certainly understand your concern.
I have worked through your attached query in detail.
Micro calcifications represent collection of calcium coming out of dead cells. They can present in both benign and malignant breast disease.
Cystic lesions are relatively common after 40 years of age. The cyst observed in your case is not a simple cyst but has a complicated histology, although it can still be considered as benign.
Complexed cysts unlike simple cysts carry a propensity to turn cancerous over a period of time. Hence they require a careful follow up over a time by periodic mammograms.
BIRADS stands for Breast Imaging reporting and data system. It’s a kind of classification system of breast disorders.
BIRADS has a scoring range from 0 to 6. Till stage 3 the lesions are very much benign and nothing to worry about. It’s a welcoming sign, but it mandates a semi annual follow up with Mammogram.
So your doctor is very clear that it’s benign and not cancerous. It’s now your turn to be sure to assume it to be non cancerous.
Nothing to worry about this Madam.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Its still a benign condition
Detailed Answer:
Hi Ma’am
I can certainly understand your concern.
I have worked through your attached query in detail.
Micro calcifications represent collection of calcium coming out of dead cells. They can present in both benign and malignant breast disease.
Cystic lesions are relatively common after 40 years of age. The cyst observed in your case is not a simple cyst but has a complicated histology, although it can still be considered as benign.
Complexed cysts unlike simple cysts carry a propensity to turn cancerous over a period of time. Hence they require a careful follow up over a time by periodic mammograms.
BIRADS stands for Breast Imaging reporting and data system. It’s a kind of classification system of breast disorders.
BIRADS has a scoring range from 0 to 6. Till stage 3 the lesions are very much benign and nothing to worry about. It’s a welcoming sign, but it mandates a semi annual follow up with Mammogram.
So your doctor is very clear that it’s benign and not cancerous. It’s now your turn to be sure to assume it to be non cancerous.
Nothing to worry about this Madam.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you for explaining I had this mammogram and ultra sound 2/19 having follow up in August 2019 just one more question where the radiologist put puncate microcalcifications associated with complicated cystdoes this mean it is degenerative process .So hopefully in August there will be stable. If she thought it was cancer she would have done immediately a biopsy? Do cyst have these type of calcifications?
Thank you for explaining I had this mammogram and ultra sound 2/19 having follow up in August 2019 just one more question where the radiologist put puncate microcalcifications associated with complicated cystdoes this mean it is degenerative process .So hopefully in August there will be stable. If she thought it was cancer she would have done immediately a biopsy? Do cyst have these type of calcifications?
Could these puncate calcifications or cyst turn to cancer in 6 months what is the radiologist looking for in 6 months
Could these puncate calcifications or cyst turn to cancer in 6 months what is the radiologist looking for in 6 months
Would appreciate a answer
Would appreciate a answer
Brief Answer:
Microcalcifications are not specific to malignant process
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am
I can certainly understand your concern.
Punctate calcifications usually represent a begin process and yes this could represent a degenerative process. Many degenerative changes are benign processes. Cysts can certainly have microcalcifications. Microcalcifications are not pathognomonic or specific to cancers alone.
Tissue diagnosis or biopsy is not routinely indicated in all cases of microcalcifications. It's indicated only from BIRADS 4.
Microcalcifications can present both in benign and malignant breast diseases. As I already told you earlier in my message that complex cysts and higher chronological age are independent risk factors for future development of breast cancer in few individuals but not all. It's for this reason the radiologist asked for semiannual follow up inorder to go for early detection for an overall better prognosis.
You have to understand that it's the cyst which carries risk of convertion to malignant process but not the microcalcifications.
Post your further questions if any
Thank you
Microcalcifications are not specific to malignant process
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am
I can certainly understand your concern.
Punctate calcifications usually represent a begin process and yes this could represent a degenerative process. Many degenerative changes are benign processes. Cysts can certainly have microcalcifications. Microcalcifications are not pathognomonic or specific to cancers alone.
Tissue diagnosis or biopsy is not routinely indicated in all cases of microcalcifications. It's indicated only from BIRADS 4.
Microcalcifications can present both in benign and malignant breast diseases. As I already told you earlier in my message that complex cysts and higher chronological age are independent risk factors for future development of breast cancer in few individuals but not all. It's for this reason the radiologist asked for semiannual follow up inorder to go for early detection for an overall better prognosis.
You have to understand that it's the cyst which carries risk of convertion to malignant process but not the microcalcifications.
Post your further questions if any
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Brief Answer:
Microcalcifications are not specific to malignant process
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am
I can certainly understand your concern.
Punctate calcifications usually represent a begin process and yes this could represent a degenerative process. Many degenerative changes are benign processes. Cysts can certainly have microcalcifications. Microcalcifications are not pathognomonic or specific to cancers alone.
Tissue diagnosis or biopsy is not routinely indicated in all cases of microcalcifications. It's indicated only from BIRADS 4.
Microcalcifications can present both in benign and malignant breast diseases. As I already told you earlier in my message that complex cysts and higher chronological age are independent risk factors for future development of breast cancer in few individuals but not all. It's for this reason the radiologist asked for semiannual follow up inorder to go for early detection for an overall better prognosis.
You have to understand that it's the cyst which carries risk of convertion to malignant process but not the microcalcifications.
Post your further questions if any
Thank you
Microcalcifications are not specific to malignant process
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am
I can certainly understand your concern.
Punctate calcifications usually represent a begin process and yes this could represent a degenerative process. Many degenerative changes are benign processes. Cysts can certainly have microcalcifications. Microcalcifications are not pathognomonic or specific to cancers alone.
Tissue diagnosis or biopsy is not routinely indicated in all cases of microcalcifications. It's indicated only from BIRADS 4.
Microcalcifications can present both in benign and malignant breast diseases. As I already told you earlier in my message that complex cysts and higher chronological age are independent risk factors for future development of breast cancer in few individuals but not all. It's for this reason the radiologist asked for semiannual follow up inorder to go for early detection for an overall better prognosis.
You have to understand that it's the cyst which carries risk of convertion to malignant process but not the microcalcifications.
Post your further questions if any
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Brief Answer:
You are welcome madam
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am
You are welcome.
Please don't hesitate to post further questions if any, I will be glad to answer them.
Take care and have a great day.
Thank you
You are welcome madam
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am
You are welcome.
Please don't hesitate to post further questions if any, I will be glad to answer them.
Take care and have a great day.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Brief Answer:
You are welcome madam
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am
You are welcome.
Please don't hesitate to post further questions if any, I will be glad to answer them.
Take care and have a great day.
Thank you
You are welcome madam
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am
You are welcome.
Please don't hesitate to post further questions if any, I will be glad to answer them.
Take care and have a great day.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you very much I understand now. Ypu have been great and thank you for all the information.
Thank you very much I understand now. Ypu have been great and thank you for all the information.
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