Atlas of breast cancer early detection

High-resolution ultrasound equipment used for diagnostic radiology can also show breast calcifications. Macrocalcifications are sonographically easy to locate in the breast parenchyma and also in the mass. Microcalcifications can be detected only if they are numerous and grouped together. Scattered microcalcifications are difficult to detect on ultrasound.

Calcifications on ultrasound are described as calcifications in a mass, outside a mass, or intraductal. The morphological appearance of ultrasound calcifications can be used to describe a mass as possibly benign or malignant.

Macrocalcifications in benign lesions
Macrocalcifications are commonly associated with benign lesions, such as involuting fibroadenoma. Scars from breast-conserving surgery may develop into dystrophic calcifications, which are also benign macrocalcifications .

Macrocalcifications in breast parenchyma

Microcalcifications
Microcalcifications grouped in a segment or within a mass are suggestive of malignancy .

Cysts
Microcysts or large cysts can have eccentric wall calcifications, seen as rim calcifications on mammography. Fluid within the cysts may calcify over time. This is seen on mammography as classical milk-of-calcium calcifications or round acinar calcifications. Ectatic ducts with debris that becomes calcified over time are seen as intraductal calcifications.

Intraductal calcifications
Intraductal calcifications are seen in DCIS.