Microcalcifications - just wondering

[roe551]

After having just gone through the trauma of a bad mammogram and subsequent biopsy, the thought arose that everyday people are going through this, I am wondering what separates the benign findings from the malignant ones.  Is there a common factor involved?  No seems to say and it is just something that is bothering me.  I understand the reasoning for the biopsies, but there has to be something that separates one from the other.  Perhaps I am looking for an easy answer but it seems to me that perhaps the shapes of calcifications irregular as opposed to smooth and round?  It just occurred to me that perhaps there is a way to prevent so much angst for no apparant reason..I am not trying to over simplify the process...perhaps I am overthinking the entire thing.  Knowing that I just went through this and probably will again at some time in the future..I suppose someone like myself will always be at risk, since I took hormone replacement for at least 13 years...
Everyone on this thread seems so well educated on the subject and I am quite new at it, just wondering..

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi lilkathie (AKA Lilbutterfly),

Welcome to our community!

There is so much to be learned through this forum, both from the factual information offered and the personal experiences shared. And sometimes it helps just knowing others understand and care...

Thanks for you kind comments regarding my answers.

Best wishes,
bluebutterfly

[lilkathie48]

  Thanks so much for the information very informative and helpful. Your time an effort is appreciated. Both websites help with questions.

All my best lilkathie48

[bluebutterfly2222]

p.s. I have also posted about breast calcifications in another thread:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Breast-Cancer/Has-anyone-ever-heard-of-Milk-of-Calcium/show/1442663

There is quite a bit of overlap between the answer  I gave you above and this answer, but it does say a little more about types of benign microcalcs.

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi again,

So happy to hear that you received benign results!

Glad we were able to offer a little help during this stressful time.

bb

[roe551]

Thanks bluebutterfly, very imformative answer..I just figured that there has to be something that differentiates the benign from the malignant ones...Its just what I do...think all of the time..
My biopsy did turn out benign, thank goodness..however the radiologist had suggested two biopsies, my stress level was so high that I declined the second one (bullheadness) I guess, the area that I declined were microcalcifications where scatter rather than cluster..she made me promise to follow up in 6 months which I absoluely will.

As it turned out the biopsy was very painful, the numbing agent did not work as quickly as they anticipated, if I have to have another, I will make sure I remind them of that fact.
Everyone on this board is so helpful and so informative and for that I am very grateful..

[bluebutterfly2222]

Sorry that you had such a traumatic experience! I hope all is well now?

Here is some information about breast calcifications. It doesn't explain, of course, ALL that the radiologists must consider, but at least it will give you some idea of how they determine whether or not a biopsy is needed:

"Breast Calcification

Calcification is a common process where small spots of calcium spots deposit themselves in breast tissue. These deposits can be the result of aging or other breast conditions such as fibroadenomas or cysts. Inflammation or foreign bodies such as implants or stitches can also lead to calcification.

Calcium phosphate crystals tend to aggregate into clumps, more so in collaboration with collagens. Collagens are insoluble proteins found in tissues. Calcification can occur in tissues and muscles of the hips, shoulders, elbows, hands and chest also.

Types of Breast Calcification

Macrocalcifications: These are coarse calcium deposits and are usually representative of degeneration of the breasts, either due to inflammation, injuries or aging of the breast arteries. Such calcifications are generally benign and are usually found in women over the age of 50.

Microcalcifications
This type of calcification is found as tiny specks of calcium in the breast. A cluster is an area where there is a proliferation of many microcalcifications. Such clusters may be cancerous. Breast microcalcifications are not felt on self breast examination. When a mammogram shows a spot of calcium buildup, it is called a microcalcification.

By itself, microcalcification is not a cause for worry as it can occur due to many reasons, not always cancerous. It is when these microcalcifications in the breast appear in tight clusters of irregular shapes that they become cause for concern.

When these breast microcalcifications appear in a scattered manner, they are usually indicative of benign breast tissue. Biopsy of some tissue is done for diagnosis. Microcalcifications in the breast are common during menopause. Injury or breast surgery can also lead to microcalcification.

Breast calcification and mammogram

Such calcium deposits are so tiny and cannot be felt by you or your doctor. A mammogram is used to detect calcifications. The radiologist examines the shape, size and pattern of the calcifications to make a diagnosis. Sometimes, a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis. Since a mammogram reveals just an area of abnormal tissue, a stereotactic biopsy is used to locate the area to be biopsied. X rays are used to guide the radiologist.

Benign breast calcifications are dermal calcifications, milk of calcium calcifications, suture calcifications and lucent-centred calcifications. The Breast Image Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) of the American College of Radiology (ACR) has categorized the types of calcifications. Calcifications can be grouped according to their distribution - segmental, regional, diffused, linear or clustered.

The best diagnostic tool to detect breast calcification is a high quality mammography done by a radiologist who is skilled in the proper positioning and compression of the breast. Such mammograms are best viewed on high-luminance viewers where extraneous glare and light is eliminated.

When instances of calcification are detected, mammograms are routinely taken to determine the stability of the calcifications. Suspicious mammograms must be followed by core needle biopsy, as it is minimally traumatic and relatively less expensive than surgical biopsy.

A mammogram can pick up microscopic deposits of calcium within breast tissue or even tiny blood vessels. In about 15% of the cases, these clusters are malignant. As compared with a surgical biopsy where the surgeon uses a scalpel to remove a chunk of tissue, core biopsy involves insertion of a large needle through the skin. This is usually aided by computers. But some types of conditions necessitate surgical biopsy, such as when the lesion is next to the chest wall."


Best wishes,
bluebutterfly