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Breast Cancer/Shadows on a Mammogram
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Question
My mother in law is 63 and has yearly mammograms because her mother and sister had breast cancer. Her last mammogram had a shadow that was not there the year before. She is going for an ultrasound and she can't palpate the lump. Could this be a calcification, if so wouldn't they have said that? I am concerned and I know she is to. My father in law passed away a year and a half ago and she is alone. What do you think?
A "shadow" is not a calcification. A calcification looks in a very typical way and can hardly be missed, but anything new in a 63 year old woman with this family history can not be ignored. I strongly suggest that her mammogram should be complemented not only with an ultrasound scan but also with a breast MRI scan and that a needle biopsy at least of the lesion should be done!
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Answers by Expert:
Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.
Expertise
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.
Experience
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.
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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.
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