What does benign calcification in breast mean?
Although breast calcifications are usually noncancerous (benign), certain patterns of calcifications — such as tight clusters with irregular shapes and fine appearance — may indicate breast cancer or precancerous changes to breast tissue.
How do you get rid of breast calcifications?
During a biopsy, a small amount of breast tissue containing the calcification is removed and sent to a laboratory to be examined for cancer cells. If cancer is present, treatment may consist of surgery to remove the cancerous breast, radiation, and/or chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells.
Are breast calcifications bad?
They are too small to feel, but can show up on a mammogram as small, bright, white spots. While calcifications are usually harmless, they can be a sign that a woman is at risk for developing breast cancer and needs more testing.
What is treatment for breast calcification?
Breast calcifications determined to be benign don’t need any more tests. They don’t need to be treated or removed. If the calcifications are potentially a sign of cancer, a biopsy is obtained. If cancer is found, it’ll be treated with a combination of: chemotherapy. radiation. surgery. hormone therapy.
When breast calcifications are cancerous?
Breast calcifications are common on mammograms, and they’re especially prevalent after age 50. Although breast calcifications are usually noncancerous (benign), certain patterns of calcifications – such as tight clusters with irregular shapes and fine appearance – may indicate breast cancer or precancerous changes to breast tissue.
What causes calcifications in the breast?
Sometimes calcifications indicate breast cancer, such as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), but most calcifications result from noncancerous (benign) conditions. Possible causes of breast calcifications include: Breast cancer. Breast cysts. Cell secretions or debris.
Can calcification in breast be cancer?
Most breast calcifications are noncancerous (benign). Certain patterns of calcifications may be an indication of breast cancer. If calcifications are in tight clusters with irregular shapes, or if they grow in a line, that could indicate cancer.