Sometimes calcifications mean breast cancer. But most calcifications result from conditions that aren't cancer, called benign.
Possible causes of breast calcifications include:
- Breast cancer
- Breast cysts
- Cell secretions or debris.
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
- Fibroadenoma
- Fibrocystic breast changes, also called milk of calcium.
- Mammary duct ectasia
- Injury or surgery to the breast, called fat necrosis.
- Radiation therapy for cancer.
- Skin calcification, called dermal calcification, or blood vessel calcification, called vascular calcification.
Products such as deodorants, creams or powders may have materials that look like calcifications on a mammogram. These materials make it harder to tell whether the calcifications are due to cancer or not. Because of this, don't use any products on your skin before a mammogram.
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Feb. 15, 2025
- Joe BN, et al. Mammographic analysis of breast calcifications. In: Breast Imaging. 4th. ed. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 18, 2024.
- What does the doctor look for on a mammogram? American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/mammograms/what-does-the-doctor-look-for-on-a-mammogram.html. Oct. 18, 2024.
- Esserman LJ, et al. Diagnostic evaluation of suspected breast cancer. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 18, 2024.
- Lohitvisate W, et al. Mammography of suspicious calcifications among ductal carcinoma in situ and benign breast disease. South African Journal of Radiation. 2024; doi:10.4102/sajr.v28i1.2852.
- Logullo AF, et al. Breast microcalcifications: Past, present and future (Review). Molecular and Clinical Oncology. 2022; doi:10.3892/mco.2022.2514.
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