Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 7/7/2011

Question
QUESTION: I had a stereotactic breast biopsy two weeks ago and my patholo  gist report said fibroadenomatous changes with stromal calcification.  No ductal carcinoma in-situ or invasive carcinoma is seen.  What does Stromal calcification mean?

ANSWER: There are calcium compounds concentrated in some parts of the tissues. In itself that is not a cancer sign and no cancer is seen here but often such compounds are associated with cancers and since they can be seen on x-ray pictures they are warning signs on mammographies that cancer MAY be present. But no cancer can be seen here!



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

QUESTION: Could stromal calcification indicate that there could be cancer in the breat now or in the future. And can the cancer be somewhere else in the body and these calcifcation are just a sign? Can the stromal calcification be removed and eliminate the chances of cancer?

Answer
So far no cancer has been found. Since what you had were stereotactic biopsies and those are based on your mammographies I have to assume that they were directed to the places where calcifications were seen. In that case your calcifications were not associated with cancer. They are only potentially associated - if at all they are - with local cancers where they are seen not with cancers in other parts of your breasts or with cancers elsewhere!



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