Difference between revisions of "Breast calcifications"

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*Radiologists can pick-up calcifications that are approximately 100 micrometers; if "calcs" is on the requisition one needs to find calcs this size.<ref>MUA. 1 October 2010.</ref>  
*Radiologists can pick-up calcifications that are approximately 100 micrometers; if "calcs" is on the requisition one needs to find calcs this size.<ref>MUA. 1 October 2010.</ref>  
**The large calcs seen on radiology are approximately 1/5 - 1/6 the size of a HPF, if the field of view (FOV) is ~0.55 mm (as is the case with 22 mm-10x eye pieces and a 40x objective).
**The large calcs seen on radiology are approximately 1/5 - 1/6 the size of a HPF, if the field of view (FOV) is ~0.55 mm (as is the case with 22 mm-10x eye pieces and a 40x objective).
Types:
*Calcium phosphate - typically purple.
**Q. How to remember? A. '''P'''urple = '''P'''hosphate.
*Calcium oxalate - not associated with malignancy.<ref name=pmid26769216>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Sharma | first1 = T. | last2 = Radosevich | first2 = JA. | last3 = Pachori | first3 = G. | last4 = Mandal | first4 = CC. | title = A Molecular View of Pathological Microcalcification in Breast Cancer. | journal = J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia | volume =  | issue =  | pages =  | month = Jan | year = 2016 | doi = 10.1007/s10911-015-9349-9 | PMID = 26769216 }}</ref>


==Microscopic==
==Microscopic==
Features of calcification:
Features of calcification:
*Purple globs (with concentric rings) on [[H&E stain|H&E]] - represent calcium phosphate.  
*Purple globs (with concentric rings) on [[H&E stain|H&E]] - represent calcium phosphate.  
**Q. How to remember? A. '''P'''urple = '''P'''hosphate.
*Often in the lumen of a gland, may be in the stroma.
*Often in the lumen of a gland, may be in the stroma.
*Calcific material typically has a well-demarcated border +/- "sharp corners".
*Calcific material typically has a well-demarcated border +/- "sharp corners".


Note:
Note:
*Calcium oxalate is not associated with malignancy<ref name=pmid26769216>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Sharma | first1 = T. | last2 = Radosevich | first2 = JA. | last3 = Pachori | first3 = G. | last4 = Mandal | first4 = CC. | title = A Molecular View of Pathological Microcalcification in Breast Cancer. | journal = J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia | volume =  | issue =  | pages =  | month = Jan | year = 2016 | doi = 10.1007/s10911-015-9349-9 | PMID = 26769216 }}</ref> - visible with (light) polarization.
*Calcium oxalate - visible with (light) polarization.


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 16:14, 2 March 2016

Breast calcifications may be found in benign or malignant breast specimens.

General

  • Abnormal breast calcifications are considered a marker of malignancy.
  • Radiologists can pick-up calcifications that are approximately 100 micrometers; if "calcs" is on the requisition one needs to find calcs this size.[1]
    • The large calcs seen on radiology are approximately 1/5 - 1/6 the size of a HPF, if the field of view (FOV) is ~0.55 mm (as is the case with 22 mm-10x eye pieces and a 40x objective).

Types:

  • Calcium phosphate - typically purple.
    • Q. How to remember? A. Purple = Phosphate.
  • Calcium oxalate - not associated with malignancy.[2]

Microscopic

Features of calcification:

  • Purple globs (with concentric rings) on H&E - represent calcium phosphate.
  • Often in the lumen of a gland, may be in the stroma.
  • Calcific material typically has a well-demarcated border +/- "sharp corners".

Note:

  • Calcium oxalate - visible with (light) polarization.

See also

References

  1. MUA. 1 October 2010.
  2. Sharma, T.; Radosevich, JA.; Pachori, G.; Mandal, CC. (Jan 2016). "A Molecular View of Pathological Microcalcification in Breast Cancer.". J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. doi:10.1007/s10911-015-9349-9. PMID 26769216.