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Mammogram - calcifications

Definition

Alternative Names

Calcifications on mammograms

Information

Calcifications are very commonly seen on a mammogram. They are caused by tiny deposits of calcium in your breast tissue. (The calcium you eat or take in medication does not cause calcifications in the breast.)

Most calcifications are not a sign of cancer. Other causes of calcifications on a mammogram include:

• Calcium deposits in the arteries inside your breasts
• History of breast infection
• Noncancerous (benign) breast lumps or cysts
• Past injury to the breast tissue
• Powders, deoderants, or ointments that are placed on the skin

Large rounded calcifications (macrocalcifications) are common in women over age 50. They appear as small white dots on the mammogram. They are not thought to be related to cancer, and only rarely need more testing.

Microcalcifications are tiny calcium specks seen on a mammogram. Most of the time, they are not a sign of cancer, but they can be cancerous.

When microcalcifications are seen on a mammogram, the doctor (a radiologist) may ask for a magnified view so the calcifications can be seen more closely.

Calcifications that are not thought to be suspicious or worrisome will be watched with a follow-up mammogram. This type of calcification may be called benign or probably benign.

Calcifications that are irregular in size or shape, or are tightly clustered together are called suspicious calcifications. If they appear suspicious, your health care provider will recommend a stereotaxic core biopsy. This is a needle biopsy that uses a type of mammogram machine to help find the suspicious calcifications.

Most patients who have suspicious calcifications do not have cancer.

See also: Breast biopsy - stereotactic

References

James JJ, Robin A, Wilson M, Evans AJ. The breast. In: Grainger RC, Allison D, Adam, Dixon AK, eds. Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 5th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 52.

Muss HB. Breast cancer and differential diagnosis of benign lesions. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 208.