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The following are terms may be found on
a mammography report:
- Microcalcifications:
Tiny calcium deposits less than 1/50 of an inch in size. When many microcalcifications are
seen in one area, they are referred to as a cluster and may indicate a small cancer. About
half of the cancers detected by mammography appear as a cluster of microcalcifications.
Microcalcifications are the most common mammographic sign of ductal
carcinoma in situ (DCIS), cancer that has not spread into neighboring breast tissue).
Almost 90% of cases of DCIS are associated with microcalcifications.
- Macrocalcifications: Larger,
coarse calcium deposits that are often related to benign (non-cancerous) growths such as fibroadenomas or with degenerative changes in the
breasts, such as aging of the breast arteries, old injuries, or inflammation.
Macrocalcifications are usually associated with benign (non-cancerous) conditions and may
not require a biopsy. They are found in one out of two women
over the age of 50.
- Dense, Density:
Describes breast tissue that has many glands close together. Density shows up as a white
area on a mammogram film. Though fairly common (especially in younger women), dense
breasts may make microcalcifications and many other masses difficult to detect.
- Asymmetry: An area that
is not found to be identical in both breasts (such as density). It is often a normal
variant but can also be a sign of an abnormal growth.
- Cyst, Cystic or Simple Cyst:
A fluid-filled mass. Simple cysts are benign (non-cancerous). Ultrasound
is often used to confirm the presence of a cyst. Sometimes, cysts are drained with a fine needle aspiration biopsy.
- Monomorphic: Of the
same shape. Monomorphic often describes microcalcifications that are uniform in shape and
density (and usually non-cancerous).
- Pleomorphic, Polymorphic or
Multiform: Having an irregular shape or various shapes. These terms often describe
microcalcifications which can indicate ductal carcinoma in situ
(DCIS), an early stage breast cancer.
- Lesion: A wound,
injury, or other damage to a body part. Breast tumors are often referred to as lesions.
- Spiculated: On a
mammogram, dense regions with radiating lines that suggest breast masses or distortions.
The term is used to describe highly suspicious masses that may indicate cancer. However,
some post-operative scars may be quite spiculated and resemble cancer.
- Mass, Lump or Nodule: A
structure that can be felt when the breast is examined. Usually further evaluated with
mammography and/or other breast imaging tests.
- Radiodense, Radiopaque:
Effective in blocking x-rays. Breast tissue in younger women is usually more
"radiodense" than the fattier tissue in older women. Some contrast agents used
in various x-ray procedures are also radiodense.
- Palpable: A breast lump that can
be felt by hand.
- Suspicious: A breast
abnormality that may indicate breast cancer. On a mammogram, these abnormalities may be
lesions such as spiculated masses or pleomorphic microcalcifications. (see above for
definitions of these terms)
- Parenchyma, Parenchymal: The
functional tissue of an organ. In the breast, it is the glandular tissue (as opposed to
fatty or stromal (connective) tissues).
- Bilateral: Occurring on or in
both breasts.
- Unilateral: Occurring on or in
only one breast.
- Spot view (or compression mammogram,
spot view, cone view, or focal compression view): Applying the compression to a
smaller area of tissue using a small compression plate or cone. By applying compression to
only a specific area of the breast, the effective pressure is increased on that spot. This
results in better tissue separation and allows better visualization of the small area in
question. Spot compression views show the borders of an abnormality or questionable area
better than standard mammography views. Some areas that look unusual on standard
mammography images are often shown to be normal tissue on spot views. True abnormalities
usually appear more prominently and the margins (borders) of the abnormality can be better
seen on compression views. Click here to learn more about
spot view.
- Magnification views: Uses a small
magnification table (depending on type of mammography system being used by the facility)
to bring the breast closer to the x-ray source and further away from the film plate. This
allows the acquisition of "zoomed in" images (2 times magnification) of the
region of interest. Magnification views provide a clearer assessment of the borders and
the tissue structures of a suspicious area or a mass and are often used to evaluate microcalcifications. Click here
to learn more about magnification views.
Additional Resources and
References
Updated: May 4, 2008
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