Breast calcifications (an approach)
Updates to Article Attributes
Breast calcifications are relatively frequently foundfrequent on mammograms and are indicative of focally active process, however about 80% of these processes are benign. Thus the ability to distinguish these calcifications based on their morphological characteristics, size, number and distribution is important, and on follow-up mammograms the stability of the lesions should be determined.
Morphology
-
probably malignant (probably intraductal)
- irregular
- pleomorphic
- fine, linear, branching
- amorphous microcalcification
- irregular or jagged edges
-
indeterminate calcification
- amorphous microcalcification
- indistinct, granular microcalcification
-
probably benign (probably intralobular)
- round, smooth
- punctate microcalcifications
- coarse calcification
- lucent centred calcification
- egg shell calcification
- dystrophic calcification
- skin calcification
- large rod like
- milk of calcium
- vascular calcification
- sutural calcification
Distribution
-
probably malignant
- grouped clusters
- segmental distribution
- linear distribution
Size
Small calcifications (<200 μm in diameter) are mostly malignant.
Stability
Calcifications stable for greater than 2 years are in favour of a benign aetiology.
Number
The greater the number of microcalcifications in an area, the more suspicious for malignancy. Malignant calcifications tend to occur in clusters of an area ¾-1 cm.
Multiplicity
Malignancy can be multifocal, hence the entire breast should be screened to rule out multicentric disease.
-<p><a href="/articles/breast-calcifications">Breast calcifications</a> are relatively frequently found on mammograms and are indicative of focally active process, however about 80% of these processes are benign. Thus the ability to distinguish these calcifications based on their morphological characteristics, size, number and distribution is important, and on follow-up mammograms the stability of the lesions should be determined.</p><h5>Morphology</h5><ul>- +<p><a href="/articles/breast-calcifications">Breast calcifications</a> are relatively frequent on mammograms and are indicative of focally active process, however about 80% of these processes are benign. Thus the ability to distinguish these calcifications based on their morphological characteristics, size, number and distribution is important, and on follow-up mammograms the stability of the lesions should be determined.</p><h5>Morphology</h5><ul>