Microcalcification-Associated Breast Cancer: Presentation, Successful First Excision, Long-Term Recurrence and Survival Rate

Abstract

Introduction: In this study we evaluated mammographic, histological and immunohistochemical findings for microcalcification-associated breast cancer with regards to breast-conserving therapy, recurrence and survival rate. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 99 consecutive, non-palpable and microcalcification-associated breast cancers (94 women) that were treated surgically between January 2002 and December 2003 at a national academic breast cancer center. Calcifications were classified according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). Descriptors, surgical outcome and histological findings were assessed. Recurrences and survival rates were evaluated based on medical records, standardized patient questionnaires and/or contacting the physician. Results: 42 of the 99 lesions (42.4%) were invasive carcinomas, 57 (57.6%) were pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). 6 out of 99 (6.1%) lesions were triple negative, and 29 (29.3%) were HER2/neu positive. Successful first excision rate was 76/99 lesions (76.8%). Breast conservation was achieved in 73.7% (73/99). 10 women showed local recurrences without negatively impacting survival. The recurrences included round/punctate, amorphous, fine pleomorphic, and fine linear or fine-linear branching descriptors. The breast cancer-specific long-term survival rate was 91/94 (96.8%) for a mean follow-up of 81.4 months. The 3 patients who died due to breast carcinoma showed fine pleomorphic calcifications, and had nodal-positive invasive carcinoma at diagnosis. Conclusion: Microcalcification-associated breast cancers are frequently treated with breast-conserving therapy. Continuous clinical and mammographic follow-up is recommended for all descriptors.

BI-RADS 3-5 microcalcifications: prediction of lymph node metastasis of breast cancer

“…However, little is known about the incidence of microcalcification-associated breast cancers [15]. Our study found that Luminal B tumors (Luminal B vs. others, Luminal B vs. Luminal A, Luminal B vs. basal) have the highest risk of LN metastasis.…”

“…A previous study reported that HER2 positivity is associated with a higher rate of LN metastases [ 23 ]; this was not confirmed by our study. However, little is known about the incidence of microcalcification-associated breast cancers [ 15 ]. Our study found that Luminal B tumors (Luminal B vs. others, Luminal B vs. Luminal A, Luminal B vs. basal) have the highest risk of LN metastasis.…”

“…The spread of screening mammography has led to increasing occurrences of microcalcifications [ 14 , 15 ]. Mammographically detected microcalcifications represent the earliest mammographic findings of non-palpable breast cancers, which are found in approximately 70% of minimal breast carcinomas [ 16 , 17 ] To the best of our knowledge, no studies have determined whether a calcification features combined with clinicopathological parameters would enable superior prediction of LN metastasis in IDC of breast.…”

The CaSR in Pathogenesis of Breast Cancer: A New Target for Early Stage Bone Metastases

“…Before cancer cells find their way into the circulation, they may have to adopt an invasive phenotype, a phenomenon referred to as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). During this adoption, an overlooked feature of breast tumors is the biological significance of microcalcifications in situ, mainly comprising of calcium oxalate or hydroxyapatite (76,77). This had been partly explored long back, where the osteotropism of breast cancer was correlated with its ability of inducing microcalcifications by expressing bone matrix proteins (78).…”

Intelligent 3D Analysis for Detection and Classification of Breast Cancer

“…This study finds the different characteristics of micro calcification and mass [20][21][22]. The information of centroid and radius provided in Mammographic Image Analysis Society (MIAS) database [23] are used to find and extract the micro calcification and mass.…”