What Are Microcalcifications on a Mammogram?

In breast lesions, a group of very common non-inflammatory and non-tumorous lesions that are characterized by different degrees of hyperplasia of the main and interstitial breasts.

In breast lesions, a group of very common non-inflammatory and non-tumorous lesions that are characterized by different degrees of hyperplasia of the main and interstitial breasts.

English name

Hyperplasia and calcification of the breast

Common causes

Ovarian endocrine imbalance

Causes of breast hypercalcification and common diseases:

Its pathogenesis is structural disorder of breast tissue caused by physiological hyperplasia and incomplete restoration. The main causes are: ovarian endocrine imbalance, irrational pregnancy history, breastfeeding history, mental factors and lifestyle habits. There are two types of breast calcification points: macrocalcification and microcalcification. Large calcification is usually a degenerative change inside the breast. The cause is mostly due to previous damage and inflammation, and is generally not related to cancer. Microcalcification may find calcium spots at sites where cells are rapidly broken down. These residues left by rapidly decomposing cells can show microcalcifications. When it appears in large numbers, it indicates the possibility of small tumors.

Differential diagnosis of mammary hyperplasia :

At the time of palpation, the texture is hard, the surface is not smooth, and it is lobulated. Together with local purulent infection, it can cause axillary lymph nodes. At the same time, the skin on the surface of the affected tumor can cause orange peel-like changes. The tumor and inflammation affect the breast. Catheters, mechanized, fibrotic, causing saggy nipples. Clinical manifestations are characterized by periodic breast tenderness and breast lump. About 10% of patients had a history of nipple discharge, mostly serous, and a few were bloody. Periodic breast tenderness manifests as about one week before menstruation. The pain is characterized by breast (unilateral or bilateral) swelling, tingling, tenderness, etc. The pain can be aggravated by emotion or fatigue, and the pain is relieved after menstruation. However, this pattern is not obvious in some patients.

Breast hyperplasia and calcification examination:

(A) mammary palladium radiography examination:

Breast molybdenum target, full name mammography molybdenum target X-ray photography examination, also known as molybdenum and palladium examination, is the first choice and the simplest and most reliable non-invasive detection method for diagnosing breast diseases today. The rate is high, the repeatability is good, and the retained images can be compared before and after, without being limited by age and body shape. Now it has been used as a routine inspection. Its characteristic is that it can detect breast lump that can not be touched by the doctor, especially for large breasts and fatty breasts, its diagnostic can be as high as 95%.

(2) Ultrasound examination:

It has the advantages of non-invasiveness, quickness, and high reproducibility, and can clearly show the changes in the shape, internal structure and adjacent tissue of the soft tissues and the masses in each layer of the breast. Because it is non-radioactive, it can be used for breast examination at any age, especially pregnant and lactating women. Sites that are difficult to irradiate with X-rays (such as the edge of the breast) can be used as a compensatory examination, and can better display the location, shape, and structure of the mass. For dense breasts, even when there is a mass that is difficult to distinguish, ultrasound can use the difference in the reflection of the acoustic wave interface to clearly show the contour and shape of the lesion.

(3) Cytological examination:

Needle aspiration cytology and biopsy are effective methods to prevent delayed diagnosis, early treatment, and improve survival, and the diagnosis rate can reach 66%. Fine needles should be used for puncture cytology to avoid breast fistula in non-cancerous conditions.

Breast hyperplasia and calcification treatment principles:

Sufficient individualized psychological and drug intervention, combined with necessary biopsy and appropriate surgical resection are effective treatment models for hyperplasia of the breast. Treatment should be treated according to different clinical manifestations and pathological types. For patients with mild to moderate pain, mainly psychological counseling and changing lifestyle habits, and for patients with persistent severe breast pain, medication can be given. However, it must be noted that drug treatment cannot effectively alleviate the pathological changes of mammary gland hyperplasia, and it cannot play a curative effect.

For thin-walled cysts indicated by ultrasound, fine needle aspiration is the preferred treatment. Bloody aspiration fluid or ultrasound examination should be vigilant against malignant breast lesions when complicated cysts are recommended. It is recommended to perform cytology or pathological examination of the lesion on bloody aspiration fluid.

Hyperplasia of breast hyperplasia is more diffuse, and local surgical resection cannot solve the underlying problem. The disease itself has no indication for surgical treatment. The main purpose of surgical intervention is to avoid missed diagnosis, misdiagnosis of breast cancer, or removal of suspicious lesions. It should be noted that when the patient is accompanied by atypical hyperplasia, it should be the focus of clinical prevention. There are three main prevention methods: close follow-up, drug intervention and surgical intervention.