What are mammogram calcifications?
Calcifications are a fairly common finding on mammograms. The only time calcifications must be investigated are those which are tightly clustered and of varying shape. When a biopsy is found to be necessary, 85% of the time the calcifications will be related to fibrocystic changes and NOT represent cancer. When calcifications do represent cancer, it is typically a very early type of breast cancer which is confined to the milk duct. This is call Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS).