[Radiosurgical correlations of 61 breast microcalcification foci]

OBJECTIVE. Diagnostic value of breast clustered microcalcifications discovered by mammography. DESIGN. A retrospective study. SETTING. Oncology Center of Rennes. SUBJECTS. 58 women (study group) with breast clustered microcalcifications without palpable tumour were operated. SURGERY. Prior to surgical removal of microcalcification, needle localization was performed. Histological results. We observed, 36 benign lesions (59%), 25 carcinomas (45%), 10 of them in situ and 15 infiltrative. RESULTS. Different radiological parameters were studied in relation to histological results, the vermicular morphology of microcalcification, an increased number, their triangular aspect, provide clue to the presence of breast carcinoma. The cluster of stippled calcification is not, in our series suggestive of a carcinoma, but also requires histopathological study, owig to the fact that in such cases, we have as many carcinomas as benign lesions. FINDING. Careful analysis of microcalcifications, within the clinical context, ensures a safe attitude, and enables one to operate only carcinomas.