Suspicious calcifications in benign breast lesions: a radio-pathologic correlation

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Pathology
• Oncology

Background:

• Mammography (MMG) screening for breast cancer is increasing in Japan.
• This leads to more suspicious lesion detection and benign biopsies.
• Identifying benign lesions misclassified as suspicious on MMG is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze specific calcification types in benign breast lesions that were interpreted as suspicious on mammography.
• To improve the accuracy of mammographic interpretation and reduce unnecessary biopsies.

Main Methods:

• Review of 39 histologically benign lesions with calcifications (categories 3 or 4 on MMG).
• Comparison of mammograms with pathological findings by a pathologist and radiologist.
• Adherence to Japan Mammography Guidelines for interpretation.

Main Results:

• Small round segmental and pleomorphic clustered calcifications in mastopathy were deemed suspicious.
• Small round clustered calcifications in fibroadenoma were also assessed as suspicious.
• Young fibroadenomas may present with small round calcifications, leading to suspicious assessment.

Conclusions:

• Specific calcifications in mastopathy and fibroadenoma can be borderline on MMG.
• More data on benign cases with suspicious calcifications are needed.
• Elucidating diagnostic criteria for these calcifications in MMG findings is essential.