Breast Cancer/calcification

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Expert: - 2/18/2009


Question
QUESTION: Though the calcifications on my breast look like all the ones on the internet that are shown as non-cancerous, the doctor wants to remove a 6 cm area of calcium  from my breast, claiming that it is malignant.  I am confused.  My breast is small.  The suregeon only looks at the mammogram, not the biopsy CD.

I have never had any red flags for cancer and am a healthy 62 year old.

ANSWER: Was a biopsy done from that area and if so what did it show?


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

QUESTION: The core biopsy showed DCIS.

The area which will be more than 6 cm being radiated makes me feel very scared of the side effects.

I am grateful, doctor, for your replies.
K. Millard

Answer
Since the biopsy showed it to be a DCIS = a cancer in situ (a cancer in its site of origin) = cancer stage 0 a surgical removal ("lumpectomy") is indeed necessary! So is also postsurgical radiation therapy! That treatment (radiation) should in fact involve your whole operated breast! The side effects of such treatment are few and mild!
Good luck!

Breast Cancer

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

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I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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