Breast calcification or breast calcification can be detected through mammography. Breast calcification is the particles of calcium deposits formed in small amounts in the breast. The breast tissue produces milk, and milk contains a large amount of calcium. When calcium stays in the breast tissue for a long period, it solidifies here. As a result of this solidification, calcification particles are formed. Calcification is generally more common in women during the post-menopausal period.
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How to Identify Breast Calcification?
Breast calcification can be seen in a specific area of the breast in mammography. It can also appear in a scattered manner. Mammography helps detect breast cancer in its very early stages through these calcifications. In some cases, early diagnosis can also be made in non-cancerous conditions, such as the initial stage of cancer referred to as in situ cancer. However, it cannot be detected through breast examination, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging.
Does Breast Calcification Lead to Breast Cancer?
Breast calcification does not lead to breast cancer. Most of the calcifications in the breast are benign. If the breast calcifications are smaller than 1 mm, they can be seen as an early sign of breast cancer. The causes of breast calcification include: breast infections, breast cysts, ductal ectasia, scar tissue formed after breast surgery, fibroadenomas, fat necrosis, and radiation therapy following breast surgery.
Two types of breast calcifications can be seen in mammography: macrocalcifications and microcalcifications. Additionally, calcifications in blood vessels or the skin can also be observed in mammography. These are usually findings that are not associated with breast cancer risk, but can be caused by factors like arteriosclerosis in blood vessels or deodorants, lotions, or powders left on the skin.
What Are Macrocalcifications?
Macrocalcifications are calcium deposits larger than 0.5 mm. These structures randomly occur in breast tissue and are commonly seen in mammograms as lines or dots. They are generally benign and not cancerous. They are frequently observed in women over the age of 50.
What Are Microcalcifications?
Microcalcifications are calcium deposits smaller than 0.5 mm, randomly occurring in breast tissue. They are generally benign, but depending on their characteristics, they may be one of the early signs of breast cancer. In particular, clustered microcalcifications in a specific area of the breast, with dense clustering and varying shapes and sizes, may indicate a higher risk for breast cancer.
What Causes Breast Calcification?
Breast calcification can occur for many reasons. These causes can be listed as follows:
- Infection,
- Fat necrosis or dead fat cells,
- Injury,
- Trauma caused by surgery,
- Ductal ectasia,
- Blocked milk ducts,
- Radiation therapy for breast cancer,
- Formation similar to atherosclerosis in blood vessels,
- Breast cancer,
How Is Breast Calcification Diagnosed?
Calcifications detected in mammography may indicate the early stages of cancer. If there is suspicion, further examination is required. Mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging can be performed. If needed, needle biopsies or vacuum biopsies can be done alongside mammography for follow-up. The type of biopsy, whether fine needle or core needle biopsy, is determined based on the structure of the sample to be taken.
How Is Breast Calcification Treated?
The treatment of breast calcification may vary depending on the hospital's technical setup. Vacuum biopsy methods may be used for the treatment of calcification. If vacuum biopsy cannot be performed, the area with microcalcification in the breast is marked with a wire before surgery. The purpose of marking with a wire is to help the surgeon easily locate the calcified area. The area where the wire is placed is removed easily. After the removal process, a mammogram is taken immediately. The surgery is concluded once it is confirmed that no calcification remnants are present. If calcifications remain, the cleaned area is expanded. The surgery ends after this step. A tissue sample is sent for pathology after the operation, and the treatment plan will be determined based on the pathology results.
