Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 2/22/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
My mom (age 46) just got her mammogram result and it said "Cluster of Microcalcification in the right upper quadrant".
The doctor suggested my mom to go under surgery to remove the tissue and then do the pathology test. If they found cancer cell, they will do another surgery.
My questions are
-Is this a serious problem? And is this the right methods to handle the problem? would you recommend the same thing?
- My mom plan to wait for another year before doing this, do you think it'll be dangerous by then?
- Lastly, what makes the spot clustered tightly? Is there any way to prevent it (like certain habit or eating regulation)?

Thank you so much for your information and time Dr!!"


ANSWER: She should NOT wait as this MAY be serious! A biopsy should be done so that a pathologist can check this. It can be done in different ways. I would recommend a needle biopsy - if available - as the quickest, easiest & simplest solution. Though if not available then a surgical biopsy should be done! This MAY be a breast cancer and you do not postpone diagnosis with a potentially deadly disease so she should have it done soonest! In this situation diet etc. will not help in any way! It either is or is not a cancer and it is best to find out soon what it is!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,
I know about needle biopsy but I don't know about surgical biopsy, can u explain a little bit about it?
And if the result is DCIS, is that a really serious problem? Does she need to remove the whole breast? The doctor said that if it is indeed cancer, they will do another surgery.

Thank you so much for your answers and time! I really appreciate it!

Answer
You are welcome! Well a surgical biopsy is a small surgical operation to take out the tissues to be examined. A larger surgery may have to follow - has to if it indeed is a cancer. No if it is a cancer in situ (DCIS) = a cancer in its site of origin = cancer stage 0 or a SMALL invasive cancer (smaller or not much bigger than 1 cm, 1 inch = 2.54 cm) probably no mastectomy is necessary. Then a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy is probably what is needed. Good luck!