"Cluster" in left breast. What could that be?

Question:

My mom went in to get a mammogram and the next day the doctor called and said that they find a "cluster" in her left breast and they want to take a closer look at it. She didnt provide her with any other information except that it could be a calcium deposit and not to worry. Naturally, my mother is worried and the earliest she was able to schedule another mammogram is Monday. Has anyone had this same thing said to them? Any doctors out there have any thoughts as to what it might be? What are the odd of it being breast cancer if she is 50 years old with no family history of breast cancer?

Answers:
They found a cluster of microcalcifications. These are very small (about the size of a grain of sand) deposits of calcium. Your mom will have another type of mammogram, called spot compression magnification views. This will allow the radiologist to see the size, shape and number of calcifications which will help determine what type of microcalcifications are present. Many microcalcifications are nothing to worry about.totally benign. Some microcalcifications are a sign of an early breast cancer. Odds are that these are not cancerous, but IF they are, the cancer has been found in its early stages. This is what screening, routine mammograms are for.finding an EARLY breast cancer. Even after these additional mammographic views, many women have a biopsy. If your mom gets to that point, remember that nearly 85-90% of breast biopsies turn out to be benign. You both are in my thoughts..

Clusters in larger breasted woman can be normal, although a mammogram is the best way to determine cysts, sometimes clusters in the breasts don't always develop or show these results. If the cluster has cysts in them, they can be cancerous but the chances of that are quite slim, perhaps looking up on some breast cancer websites would be beneficial to help with the chances...otherwise allow your doctor to tell you the results, trust your doctor more than others.

"Cluster" in left breast. What could that be?

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