Differential diagnosis of breast calcifications on screening mammography

Abstract

Objective. Sensitivity of mammography in detection of calcifications in breasts is 97%. Considering the fact that calcifications follow some malignant diseases of breasts, defining the nature of calcifications is significant in diagnosis of breast diseases although, in some cases, there is overlapping of their appearance in benign and malignant changes. Method. In the Ministry of Health National Program for early detection of breast cancer, in Health Center 'Studenica' Kraljevo, 3090 mammography examinations were done on mobile mammography from 01.06.2009. to 10.10.2009. Results. Out of 3090-mammography examinations, there were 290 patients in category BI RADS 3, 93 patients in category BI RADS 4, 3 patients in category BI RADS 5. Microcalcifications were detected at each the eighth mammography examination. Specificity of mammography in differential diagnosis of calcification nature is considerably less than its sensitivity but the mammography is still the most sensitive method of detection of breasts calcification. Conclusion. The mammography is an important method of examination, particularly in screening programs, because it is a reliable and accessible tool and its implementation is simple and fast.