are microcalcifications cancerous
Although breast calcifications are usually noncancerous (benign), certain patterns of calcifications — such as tight clusters with irregular shapes — may indicate breast cancer. On a mammogram, breast calcifications can appear as macrocalcifications or microcalcifications. 1  Macrocalcifications. 2  These show up as large white dots or dashes. 3  They're almost always noncancerous and require no further testing or follow-up. Breast microcalcifications on mammogram. Indications of breast cancer malignancy. Breast calcifications, (small calcium deposits in breast soft tissue), are extremely common in women and almost always associated with a benign breast condition unrelated to cancer. Calcifications versus MicroCalcifications. Not the same thing. Microcalcifications are small calcium deposits that look like white specks on a mammogram. Microcalcifications are usually not a result of cancer. But if they appear in certain patterns and are clustered together, they may be a sign of precancerous cells or early breast cancer. Microcalcifications are also basically calcium deposits, but they are much smaller and much less common. Microcalcification tends to be the result of a genetic mutations somewhere in the breast tissue, but they can still be due to other conditions. On a mammogram, breast calcifications can appear as macrocalcifications or microcalcifications. 1  Macrocalcifications. 2  Microcalcifications. Breast calcifications are calcium deposits within breast tissue. They appear as white spots or flecks on a mammogram and are usually so small that you can't feel them. On 5/27/2008 greenasagourd wrote:I've always had yearly mammogram results that were normal, nothing suspicious. Microcalcifications in a cluster were found on my most recent mammogram. I was called back in a few days later for a diagnostic mammogram. The radiologist met with me, discussed the mammos & set me up for a stereotactic core needle biopsy scheduled a couple days from now. The radiologist said that his findings thus far indicate a 30% chance of breast cancer. Odd, I had the very first cancer in my family history followed by my bro's kids. Just recently, my aunt had invasive breast cancer & died at age 77. Her younger sister had a lumpectomy, but it was benign. Breast Calcifications. Benign, not related to breast cancer. Calcifications are common in the breast, and regardless of the cause they will appear on the mammogram. An experienced radiologist can quickly tell the difference from benign calcifications and those associated with breast carcinoma, however. A. Breast calcifications are small calcium deposits that develop in a woman's breast tissue. They are very common and are usually benign (noncancerous). In some instances, certain types of breast calcifications may suggest early breast cancer. There are two types of breast calcifications: macrocalcifications and microcalcifications.
No