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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Breast Calicifactions
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Breast Calicifactions
by SharonLynn, Jan 21, 2009 02:09PM
My Mammo report read that I have increased "branching" calicifactions and suggests a biopsy. Does anyone know what that means?
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Jan 21, 2009 02:50PM
, Jan 21, 2009 02:50PM
Dear SharonLynn: Microcalcifications are small calcium deposits found within the breast tissue and these are normal. Microcalcifications in and of themselves are not a condition that would become cancerous. However they can be a sign of a problem that may need further investigation based on their appearance on a mammogram. For instance microcalcifications that are more scattered are probably due to a benign (non-cancerous) cause and microcalcificatins that form a cluster may increase concern that there may be an underlying tumor. Microcalcifications that are indeterminate may need further investigation such as a diagnostic mammogram to further characterize the calcifications. Branching is not a technical term but probably a descriptor used by the radiologist to describe a pattern. Calcifications do not move around but more may form over time. The pattern of their formation lends clues as to whether or not more investigation is needed.
