Microcalcifications in the breast
Microcalcifications are small calcium deposits on breast tissue that usually occur as a natural part of aging or as a result of a breast injury or disease. Mammograms identify areas of microcalcifications, and these can be worrisome because calcifications can indicate breast cancer. Most microcalcifications in the breast, however, are not formed from the rapidly dividing cells of cancerous tissue.
Formation
Microcalcifications form for many different reasons. These mineral deposits may form because of a blocked milk duct, a condition known as mammary duct ectasia. Breast cysts, which are small fluid-filled sacs, can cause microcalcifications. A benign growth known as fibroadenoma can contribute to breast calcifications. Other causes of microcalcifications are mastitis, an infection in the breast; injury to a breast; or even cancer radiation therapy. Sometimes areas in the skin or blood vessels can calcify.
Appearance
On a mammogram, the mineral deposits known as microcalcifications appear as white spots about the size of grains of salt. These deposits form in scattered patterns in the breast or sometimes group in clusters. Radiologists often want to investigate clustered microcalcifications for signs of cancer. These calcium specks usually are in the milk ducts and are so small they cannot be felt. Calcium deposits are more frequent in women after menopause. Larger deposits of calcium in the breast are called macrocalcifications.
Mineral Deposits
Mineral deposits form microcalcifications in the breast. These generally increase with aging. The main mineral in these deposits is calcium carbonate. The exact composition and formation of microcalcifications in the breast varies. Minerals and elements found in these small structures include apatite, calcite, arginite, oxalic acid, aluminum, iron and magnesium. Cancerous microcalcifications sometimes form in clusters and have a slightly different chemical composition than benign microcalcifications.
Cancer
Microcalcifications can indicate a precancerous condition, or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), in which abnormal cells exist in the breast ducts. If DCIS exists, a surgeon should remove the abnormal cells before they spread. Other types of cancers can also cause clustered formations of microcalcifications. When a woman shows clusters of microcalcifications, a radiologist may order a new diagnostic mammogram with additional magnification views. Biopsies are sometimes recommended. In these procedures, surgeons will remove a small amount of breast tissue with microcalcifications to test for cancerous cells.
Differences
The pattern of microcalcifications in the breast can be significant. Microcalcifications forming in a scattered pattern usually indicate a benign cause. Microcalcifications clustered together tightly in irregular shapes can be signs of an abnormality such as a tumor. Spectroscopic analysis shows that cancerous microcalcifications have more calcium carbonate and less protein than benign ones.
Tags: deposits form, microcalcifications breast, abnormal cells, breast injury, breast tissue, calcium carbonate, deposits calcium
