Types of abnormalities on a mammogram

There are 2 main types of abnormalities seen on a mammogram. They include calcifications and masses.

Calcifications	Mass

Calcifications can be either micro (tiny) or macro (big or "coarse"). Microcalcifications may need further investigation. Macrocalcifications tend to be associated with benign (noncancerous) findings.

Calcified blood vessels

May be associated with benign tumors called calcified fibroadenomas or blood vessels (ever hear of hardening of the arteries?) or sometimes this may occur after surgery or radiation.

Microcalcifications

Microcalcifications are seen as little white dots that show up on a mammogram. They're about the size of a pencil point and no, they're not related to the amount of milk or cheese in your daily diet.

The majority of calcifications are benign (noncancerous). When they are located in a cluster, or different sizes or shapes, arranged linearly (line-like) or associated with a mass -- the investigation has to continue. You will probably be asked to take a magnification film to make this area appear bigger and therefore easier to assess.

Calcifications in clusters	Magnified view of calcifications showing them to be of different sizes and shapes

Breast duct and calcium in the center

Calcifications are located in the center of the breast ducts. We don't know why calcifications occur. Theories include 1) calcium is secreted by normal breast cells and calcium results when the process of normal cells turnover -- or 2) cancer cells actually produce calcium. Fortunately, most calcium, when biopsied, is associated with fibrocystic (noncancerous) changes.

If you have been told that the calcifications need to be biopsied, then please see  the Visiting the Breast Doc slide show

 Onto Benign Masses

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