> In addition to a "cloudy area" in my breast, the x-rays very clearly show
> some small calcium spots. I get all the results of the core biopsy, x-rays
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Thanks if you can help
> Jan
Simply put, the microcalcifications mean something died. They are the
crystalline residue left behind when cells undergo programmed death.
They can be due to injury, benign growths, tumours or other changes in
the tissues (perhaps sudden changes in weight).
The importance of them is that cancers usually create a shell of
microcalcifications around themselves where they have invaded the
surrounding tissue, and that they show up on x-rays. A skilled
radiologist can tell from their layout and position whether a particular
group is likely to be caused by something malignant. But it is only
probabilities, rarely a definite diagnosis, so if an area looks
suspicious it is usually biopsied.
I don't think there is any way of removing them, you could of course cut
them out, but the scarring from surgery would probably create more than
it removed, and they are of themselves harmless anyway.
Tim Jackson
Splodge - 20 May 2007 18:40 GMT
>> In addition to a "cloudy area" in my breast, the x-rays very clearly show
>> some small calcium spots. I get all the results of the core biopsy,
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> them out, but the scarring from surgery would probably create more than it
> removed, and they are of themselves harmless anyway.
Thank you Tim, that's very helpful
Jan