Breast calcifications look like white specks when seen from a mammogram. The specks, which may be scattered throughout the whole tissue or clustered together represent deposits of calcium. They are a very common finding in women around the age of menopause. Except in rare situations, the densities do not indicate the presence of disease.
Radiologists, the specialists who read and interpret mammograms and other radiographic images, divide the deposits into two major groups based on the appearance: microcalcifications and macrocalcifications. Macrocalcifications are large and coarse deposits frequently located in milk ducts or existing as cysts. They resemble dots. They are the more common type in aging women. According to statistics, 50% of women aged above 50 years and 10% of those younger than this have them.
The other group, microcalcifications, comprise finer densities. Their presence at a site is an indication of increased mitotic activity. The cells in this area are rapidly dividing as they attempt to replace those that have been destroyed due to one reason or another. According to research, neither the coarse nor the fine densities indicate the presence of cancer but particular patterns may suggest a precancerous state.
Several risk factors are now known to predispose to the condition. Perhaps the most important of these is advancing age. The exact reason as to why more cases are found in the older age group is yet to be established. Besides age, the other risk factors are trauma, fibroadenoma, cysts, cell debris secretions, mammary duct ectasia and inflammatory conditions in the breast tissue among others. Claims that high calcium in the diet may cause deposition have no scientific backing.
The diagnosis of this condition is still a big challenge. The main reason for this is because the condition is largely asymptomatic. The deposits are extremely small and cannot be located during routine breast examinations. It is only during routine mammograms that they are picked incidentally. Upon examining the mammogram, the attending radiologist may or may not request for further investigations depending on the initial findings.
Macrocalcifications do not require any form of treatment or follow up as they are not associated with disease. For the microcalcifications the prognosis depends on the specific characteristics. This calls for more investigations. Deposits that are clustered together or irregularly shaped are likely to be pre-cancerous or cancerous. Additional investigations may include a second mammogram at a different magnification, ultrasound scanning and biopsy.
A biopsy is the gold standard as far as cancer diagnosis is concerned. This test is recommended in cases where the lesion is suspicious. A biopsy involves removal of a small specimen from the diseased site and examining it under the microscope. This will help classify the lesion as either benign or cancerous. Cases that have been confirmed through the biopsy are subjected to treatment which usually includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Breast calcifications have generated a lot of interest as far as research is concerned. Many of the researchers seek to establish whether these densities are related to cancer which is not clear at the moment. There is strong evidence suggesting that the deposits are a normal process associated with aging and degeneration. Women should therefore not be disturbed if they are found to have them. Even when found to be cancerous they are most likely to be benign. An important precaution for women with suspicious lesions is to have bi-annual mammograms to monitor the progress. Later, they can have the same once a year.
Radiologists, the specialists who read and interpret mammograms and other radiographic images, divide the deposits into two major groups based on the appearance: microcalcifications and macrocalcifications. Macrocalcifications are large and coarse deposits frequently located in milk ducts or existing as cysts. They resemble dots. They are the more common type in aging women. According to statistics, 50% of women aged above 50 years and 10% of those younger than this have them.
The other group, microcalcifications, comprise finer densities. Their presence at a site is an indication of increased mitotic activity. The cells in this area are rapidly dividing as they attempt to replace those that have been destroyed due to one reason or another. According to research, neither the coarse nor the fine densities indicate the presence of cancer but particular patterns may suggest a precancerous state.
Several risk factors are now known to predispose to the condition. Perhaps the most important of these is advancing age. The exact reason as to why more cases are found in the older age group is yet to be established. Besides age, the other risk factors are trauma, fibroadenoma, cysts, cell debris secretions, mammary duct ectasia and inflammatory conditions in the breast tissue among others. Claims that high calcium in the diet may cause deposition have no scientific backing.
The diagnosis of this condition is still a big challenge. The main reason for this is because the condition is largely asymptomatic. The deposits are extremely small and cannot be located during routine breast examinations. It is only during routine mammograms that they are picked incidentally. Upon examining the mammogram, the attending radiologist may or may not request for further investigations depending on the initial findings.
Macrocalcifications do not require any form of treatment or follow up as they are not associated with disease. For the microcalcifications the prognosis depends on the specific characteristics. This calls for more investigations. Deposits that are clustered together or irregularly shaped are likely to be pre-cancerous or cancerous. Additional investigations may include a second mammogram at a different magnification, ultrasound scanning and biopsy.
A biopsy is the gold standard as far as cancer diagnosis is concerned. This test is recommended in cases where the lesion is suspicious. A biopsy involves removal of a small specimen from the diseased site and examining it under the microscope. This will help classify the lesion as either benign or cancerous. Cases that have been confirmed through the biopsy are subjected to treatment which usually includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Breast calcifications have generated a lot of interest as far as research is concerned. Many of the researchers seek to establish whether these densities are related to cancer which is not clear at the moment. There is strong evidence suggesting that the deposits are a normal process associated with aging and degeneration. Women should therefore not be disturbed if they are found to have them. Even when found to be cancerous they are most likely to be benign. An important precaution for women with suspicious lesions is to have bi-annual mammograms to monitor the progress. Later, they can have the same once a year.
About the Author:
For individuals who suffer from breast calcifications, acquiring additional information is helpful to alleviate worry. You can see details about calcifications in the breast by visiting our web pages right here.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Gimme your 2 cents!