Calcification in the breast (microcalcifications) - specialists and information

Leading Medicine Guide Editors
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Leading Medicine Guide Editors

If an X-ray or palpation examination reveals calcifications in the breast, this worries many women. However, microcalcifications occur frequently and are not always a cause for concern. These are deposits of calcium carbonate, which usually have a natural cause. X-ray images make the deposits visible and diagnosable. They occur in small arteries or cysts and rarely indicate a malignant disease. Nevertheless, as a precaution, have the calcium deposits checked annually.

Below you will find further information and specialists for the diagnosis and treatment of calcifications in the breast.

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Article overview

Causes of microcalcifications

In most cases, these calcifications are only really visible with electronic magnification, i.e. digital mammography. They are often caused by hormonal changes in the breast tissue, which do not always have to be of a malignant nature.

Fibrocystic mastopathy (changes in the mammary glands) results in increased growth of the mammary gland cells with increased fluid production. This results in fluid-filled cysts (small blisters or cavities) in which calcium deposits can form.

Microcalcifications can indicate a precancerous stage in the mammary glands. The doctor therefore recommends further examinations. Unfortunately, you can neither prevent nor avoid the formation of such deposits.

Limescale in the breast: other causes

In most cases, the calcium deposits do not disappear on their own. So far, experts have not been able to prove whether a vegetarian diet (with a high proportion of raw vegetables) can prevent microcalcifications.

What is certain, however, is that a high consumption of animal fats has an unfavorable effect on hormone status. This increases the risk of microcalcifications.

Experts therefore often recommend avoiding hormone supplements so as not to put additional strain on the hormonal (im)balance.

Kalk in der BrustMicrocalcifications often occur during the menopause @ timonina /AdobeStock

Accompanying symptoms of calcification in the breast

Microcalcifications do not cause any symptoms. They are also usually not palpable. If you have pain in your breast, harmless calcium deposits are not responsible.

However,other diseases that are associated with calcification in the breast can cause symptoms. Drawing or stabbing pains are warning signs.

Weight loss, recurring fever and night sweats are more likely to indicate a serious underlying condition that is not caused by the calcification. It is best to have the nature of this underlying disease clarified by a doctor.

Diagnosis of breast calcification

A reliable diagnosis that calcifications are present in the breast can only be made using imaging procedures.

Experts can clearly recognize calcification on X-ray images as a light-coloured structure. Calcification is clearly distinguishable from other tissue.

A mammogram can detect such calcifications quite early, provided the image is large enough.

An experienced radiologist can make an initial assessment of malignancy or benignity based on structural characteristics, shape and scattering.

Benign calcifications are usually irregularly distributed, show a certain similarity and have a punctiform to coarse structure.

Calcifications that indicate a malignant cause tend tooccur in groups and do not resemble each other.

If the radiologist expresses a suspicion, the next step is a biopsy (tissue removal). The initial suspicion does not necessarily have to be confirmed. If it is, an early diagnosis is very positive.

Brust-MammographieWith a mammogram, doctors can detect calcium deposits in the breast at an early stage @ Peakstock /AdobeStock

Confirming the diagnosis of microcalcifications

In addition to manual breast examinations and mammography, doctors also use magnetic resonance imaging to confirm the diagnosis (benign or malignant).

If a biopsy is necessary, the following methods are used:

  • Conventional, open biopsy
  • Punch biopsy
  • Fine needle biopsy
  • Stereotactic (X-ray-guided) vacuum biopsy

Today, doctors can clarify all suspicious findings in breast tissue using minimally invasive diagnostic methods. This reduces the risk of "cell proliferation", which leads to the formation of further tumor foci.

Treatment of calcification in the breast

If there is no malignant disease as the cause of the calcifications, doctors do not treat these microcalcifications. Nevertheless, you should go for check-ups every six months or year to rule out malignant changes.

In the case of a malignant disease, different treatment methods are of course possible:

If breast cancer is detected early, surgery followed by radiotherapy is often sufficient.

It is best to discuss which form of therapy (radiotherapy, hormone, immunotherapy or chemotherapy) makes sense with your doctor.

Limescale in the breast: which doctor is the right one?

If you notice changes on or in your breast, your gynecologist is the first person to contact. If they think further clarification is necessary, they will send you to a registered radiologist. Only in the case of a malignant cancer diagnosis will you be sent to an oncologist. The oncologist will then provide you with further treatment (usually in hospital as an outpatient or inpatient).

Conclusion

Calcium deposits in the breast are not a disease in themselves and occur more frequently during hormonal changes (e.g. during the menopause).

However, under certain circumstances they can indicate another, more serious illness. Therefore, if you have limescale in the breast, you should have possible changes in the breast examined regularly so that you can detect any disease as early as possible.

References

Verkalkung der Brust (dr-gumpert.de)
Brusterkrankungen: Kalk in der Brust (brustkrebs-info.de)
Brust-Biopsie / Biopsie der Brust » Diagnostik » (frauenaerzte-im-netz.de)
Brusterkrankungen (gutartig) » Kalk in der Brust » (frauenaerzte-im-netz.de)
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