Breast microcalcifications: The lesions in anatomical pathology

Abstract

Microcalcifications are actually indirect signs of pathological processes, and only a few of these processes may be correctly correlated to the morphologic pattern of calcifications. This is true of the microcalcifications typically classified as benign by the 4th edition of the BI-RADS Atlas, except for round and punctuate microcalcifications. This is also the case of polymorphous fine and linear fine microcalcifications most often, but not exclusively, associated with DCIS with necrosis. For other types of microcalcifications, other parameters are analyzed in a more global approach: the associated clinical or mammographical signs; the context, especially genetic; the spatial distribution; the number; the evolution over time. The radiologist should compare the images with the anatomy of the terminal ductal-lobular unit, from where most cancers arise, and estimates the risk by taking into account the clinical context and the antecedents.

Breast tomosynthesis: Dosimetry and image quality assessment on phantom

“…This is in agreement with the findings reported in the literature [8][9][10]12,14]. Detection of microcalcifications is essential since intraductal carcinoma (CIC) detected only through microcalcifications represent 19% of the cancers screened [30,31]. But 3D allows radiologists to use methods, such as the maximum intensity projection (MIP), specific to multislice imaging, to detect and analyze fine structures, such as microcalcifications [8,32].…”

Breast Cancer in a Lagos Facility: Implications for the Institution of a Cancer Screening Programme

“…These screening programmes have been shown to reduce the breast cancer mortality especially in the 50-to-74-year age group [8]. Mammography is the modality of choice for screening in these populations as it easily detects calcifications and other features suggestive of malignancy in the fatty breasts of women in these screening age groups [35]. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), however, is also employed for those with a lifetime risk of breast cancer greater than 20% [19,34].…”

Secondary Breast Lymphoma: A Case Report

“…This fi nding can be interpreted in two ways: The microcalcifi cations may have developed based on a similar mechanism as in DCIS (i.e. calcifi cation of endoluminal debris due to tumor proliferation and/or secretion) [18]. Alternatively, the microcalcifi cations could be an incidental fi nding due to underlying benign changes (i.e.…”