Microcalcifications & cancer tests

[G.Ann]

Hi,
I would like some feedback regarding microcalcifications of remaining breast and comments about cancer tests and screenings in general. I've enjoyed reading all the messages for six months and learned a lot, especially about pushing for Herceptin. I posted the message below to the Newcomer box so please excuse the duplication. I would like feedback and wisdom from this site.

I'm 59 years old now and diagnosed February 2004 with invasive ductal cancer, her-2 neu 3+ (strong), stage 2, tumor grade 3, tumor size 2.5 cm, but no lymph node involvement, and er/pr negative. Had mastectomy February 2004. Received only 4 txs of Adriamycin/Cytoxan every three weeks but no taxane drugs (Taxol or taxotere) due to oncologist's recommendation. After 15 months since last chemo treatment, I started receiving Herceptin every three weeks after going outside of my medical group for second opinion regarding Herceptin. MUGA scans normal so far.

Have had 4 cysts drained in remaining right breast since diagnosis in 2004, one solid lump biopsied Jan. 2006 (no cancer). Latest mammo Jan. 2006 showed microcalcifications--they are loosely clustered (not indicative of breast cancer), but calcifications have increased from mammo done in 2005. Recommendation from oncologist is to wait another 6 months for another mammo. Surgeon will remove remaining breast for "peace of mind" but feels there's no need now. No MRIs, CT scans, or cancer blodd screening tests have been done within my HMO. Reason: symptoms do not warrant testing.

Thanks for any feedback regarding microcalcifications, and cancer screening tests, and comments about having remaining breast removed for "peace of mind." I don't want to over-react and at the same time I don't want my head in the sand either.

[sassy]

G. Ann,

I don't have any answers for you, but have similar questions, so I am very interested in what others may post. In this post you stated you posted on newcomers and sorry for the duplication. This is the newcomers and I did not see this post in another forum. Perhaps if you post this in the other forum-her2 group-you may get more feedback. I'll be interested too.

Sassy
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[G. Ann]

Hi Sassy,
Thanks for your response. Once I figure out how to post my questions to the other site, I hope "we" find out some good info.
G. Ann

[mts]

Hi G Ann,

HMO's are all about savings... aren't they?
As for your onc, I don't get the part about waiting 6 months for peace of mind... Why wait 6 months for peace of mind...?
I just wanted to tell you something that happened to me when I decided to get an MRI after my lumpectomy. Well, two more tumors were found via MRI that were not seen with mammo or ultra-sound. I ended-up having another lumpectomy. I am glad I had the MRI, otherwise, I would still have tumors in me that would have been "recurrences". I am not saying this is your case- but it provides reason for validation.
My surgical onc did not see any reason for me to get the MRI to begin with- but I asked him anyway and he wrote the script to reflect that I had "dense breast tissue". Supposedly, that little phrase is enough for the insurance companies to approve breast MRI's. As for no CT scans or anything, it sounds like your onc is pretty confident that since you had neg nodes, that you don't have any distant disease either. Many of us here have had these diagnostics because they provide a baseline. I am surprised (then again maybe not) that your HMO would be so "lite" on your treatment.

Warmly,
Maria

[G. Ann]

Hi Maria,

Thanks so much for your reply. Your experience in pushing for an MRI and finding more tumors supports my "gut" feeling that this is a good idea. I saw the onc today and he's still wanting to wait until summer to repeat the MRI. I am seeing the surgeon the end of this month so will bring it up again.

I also have sought a 2nd opinion outset of my HMO, but even the 2nd onc's referral is being held up in getting permission to get a breast MRI, even though I would be paying for it myself. I am having some breast pain with a lump (surgeon did FNA in January), which showed nothing going on. You never know if there's something behind the sample taken or next to it. I did have breast pain the first time around but thought it was just a painful cyst. I think the key words might be dense breast tissue in getting approval. Thanks for the suggestion. How long after your lumpectomy did you get the MRI?
G.Ann