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Benign microcalcification (3)


This is part 3 of some common benign causes of breast microcalcification and some less common causes. These are new examples of the conditions in question - more can be found on the relevant 'benign' pages elsewhere on the site and cross-links are given frequently.

See also practice points, benign microcalcification (1), benign microcalcification (2) and malignant microcalcification 1 & 2



Vascular calcs




Mammogram - extensive vascular calcification complicating renal failure - Courtesy of Jim Walsh & Pat Forrest
Mammogram - extensive vascular calcification


Deatail of mammogram above - Courtesy of Jim Walsh & Pat Forrest
Vascular calcification - detail of mammogram above

Vascular calc in a core biopsy (example 1) (specimen x ray - left; H&E - right)
Vascular calc in a core biopsy - specimen x ray Vascular calc in a core biopsy - H & E

Vascular calcification (example 2), 'tramline' pattern - specimen x ray
'Tramline' vascular calcification - specimen x ray of core biopsy

Vascular calcification (example 2), 'tramline' pattern - specimen x ray
'Tramline' vascular calcification - specimen x ray of core biopsy

Vascular calcification - corresponding H&E showing calcification of arterial media (Monkeberg's sclerosis)
Vascular calcification

Duct ectasia




Mammogram - extensive duct ectasia - Courtesy of Jim Walsh & Pat Forrest
Mammogram - widespread duct ectasia with calcification


Duct ectasia - detail of mammmogram above - Courtesy of Jim Walsh & Pat Forrest
Duct ectasia - detail of mammogram above

Coarse luminal calc associated with duct ectasia - an unusual cause of this pattern of calcification
Coarse luminal calc associated with duct ectasia - medium power Coarse luminal calc associated with duct ectasia - high power

See also Duct Ectasia.




Calcification in old fat necrosis



Coarse stromal calcification (arrows) in an area of fibrosis associated with old fat necrosis

Calcification in fat necrosis Calcification in fat necrosis

Note oil cysts lined by foamy macrophages (A) and large central calc (red circle)

Calcification in fat necrosis


See also Fat necrosis.




Lactational change and calcification of luminal secretions



Lactational change is an uncommon cause of microcalcification in the breast. The calcification can take on an irregular linear appearance and be interpreted radiologically as suspicious of DCIS. Luminal secretions undergo calcification and the calcs can show a concentric psammoma-like appearance. The following causes are recognised:

In the following sequence of images "Mouse-over" to see the overlays

Low power view (x 4) of core biopsy - note frequent luminal calcs (blue arrows on mouse-over)

Luminal calcification associated with prolonged lactational change


Medium power view of core biopsy showing luminal calcs (red circle) and lactational change in epithelium (blue arrows) (mouse-over)

Luminal calcification associated with prolonged lactational change



Medium power view of core biopsy showing luminal calcs (red circle) and lactational change in epithelium (blue arrows). 'Mouse-over' for cropped view of psammoma-like calcs with concentric lamellae

Luminal calcification associated with prolonged lactational change



Medium power view of core biopsy showing luminal calcs (red circle) (mouse-over)

Luminal calcification associated with prolonged lactational change



High power view of core biopsy showing coarse luminal calc (red star) and lactational changes (blue arrow) (mouse-over)

Luminal calcification associated with prolonged lactational change


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