Çukurova Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi (Jun 2014)
A Pathologists Purview of Breast Calcifications
Abstract
Accumulation of calcium or calcium salts in breast parenchyma; where it does not belong naturally leads to an abnormality known as Breast Calcification. When such calcifications occur due mineral deposits in individuals with normal calcium levels, these are called as dystrophic calcifications. As against this, metastatic calcification is the term used when calcification occurs in otherwise normal tissue with elevated calcium levels. Although calcifications in breasts are reported with breast cancers; they can also be seen in benign conditions. They cannot be directly seen by the naked eye. Although sonomammography can demonstrate them many times; often the microcalcifications can go un-noticed. X-ray mammography is the best diagnostic tool to show them reliably; on which they appear as white specks or dots. This article puts forth a Pathologist`s purview of breast calcifications. [Cukurova Med J 2014; 39(3.000): 413-421]
