Can microcalcifications cause breast pain?

Breast calcifications are small dots of calcium salts that can occur anywhere in the breast tissue. They are very small so you won’t be able to feel them, and they don’t cause any pain.

Can clusters of microcalcifications be benign?

Microcalcifications can also give an idea of the extent of the disease. They are usually noncancerous, although some patterns can be a sign of cancer.

Are breast calcifications a concern?

Breast calcifications are common and most often not a cause for concern. However, there are some calcifications in the breast that might prompt further evaluation. We as breast imaging doctors know that the need for further workup is a cause of anxiety.

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.

Should I be worried if I have breast calcifications?

Breast calcifications, or small calcium deposits in breast tissue, are signs of cellular turnover – essentially, dead cells – that can be visualized on a mammogram or observed in a breast biopsy. Calcifications are generally harmless and are often a result of aging breast tissue.

What causes microcalcification clusters?

“Calcifications (also called microcalcifications ) are mineral deposits in the breast that may be caused by dried-up secretions, trauma to the breast, resorbed blood, or dead tissue cells. These small calcium deposits are often found in clusters by a mammogram.

What can cause microcalcifications in breasts?

Usually, breast calcifications are first noticed on a mammogram. What causes breast calcifications? A number of factors can cause calcification in a woman’s breast, including normal aging, inflammation, and past trauma to the area. Calcium from your diet does not cause breast calcifications.

Are calcification clusters always cancer?

Big calcifications — “macrocalcifications” — are usually not associated with cancer. Groups of small calcifications huddled together, called “clusters of microcalcifications ,” are associated with extra breast cell activity. Most of the time this is non-cancerous extra cell growth,…

What is cluster calcification?

Clustered calcifications are both seen in benign and malignant disease and are of intermediate concern. When clusters are scattered througout the breast, this favors a benign entity. A single cluster of calcification favors a malignant entity.