Breast calcifications
Calcium Deposits in Breast
Breast calcifications are deposition of calcium in the form of crystals in the breast tissue. They can be present in one or both the breast. These calcium deposits cannot be seen or felt by the patients or the doctor. A mammogram reveals their presence. Unlike the common belief, they do not occur due to intake of calcium tablets.
Post mammography, this calcification can be present in two forms, macrocalcification or microcalcification. Macrocalcification are large white crystals and said to be almost always benign and do not need further treatment while microcalcifiactions are smaller, the size of salt grains and may be malignant (cancerous) and require further investigations. The doctor can also suggest a further test if the calcification is grouped together in one place or varies in size and shape.
Causes
Not many women are afflicted with calcium deposits in the breast. But for those who are, it is hardly ever fatal. The causes of breast calcification are –
1. Age- Presence of these crystals has been linked with age. Women in their menopause are more likely to have calcium deposits in the breast than younger ones.
2. Fibroadenomas and cysts -Women who are suffering from breast complications such as fibroadenomas and cysts also have a high chance of carrying these crystals in their breasts.
3. It can also occur due to inflammations, surgeries, breast implants, presence of foreign body or stitches.
4. Mammography of patients who have swelling in a breast(s), aging muscles or suffered an injury on the breast may also suffer from breast calcification.
5. It can also be found in mothers who have breast fed and the milk remained in a duct for years.
6. Deodorants and powders- Long term use of powders and deodorants also deposit calcium on the breasts.
In most cases, presence of this is said to be an early sign of breast cancer.
Symptoms
There are no strong symptoms to suggest presence of calcium crystals in the breasts. In most cases it is found during regular screenings for breast cancer or after the presence of a lump or cyst. When it is found along with the lumps, it can be in the painless of painful form.
Treatments-
In case the cancers are benign, they do not require any treatments. For cases where the calcification is malignant, a mammography is done. Post this it requires biopsy in which the surrounding tissues that include the calcification are removed. This will confirm the diagnosis so that no tissue is missed. This is examined by a pathologist.
In some cases, doctors take a “wait and watch” approach. This means that mammography is done after every six months to see if the calcification has altered. Alteration of calcification suggests breast cancer. In case the growth turns out to be malignant, they start the treatment for breast cancer.
Risk factors-
Women with calcification in both the breasts are said to be at a higher risk of breast cancer than women with calcification in just one breast. Woman with no calcium deposition in their breast have less chances of having breast cancer than women who have it in one breast.
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Filed under: Women's Health by admin on Tue, July 20th, 2010
July 20, 2010