A Radiological and Pathological Study of the Incidence of Calcification in Diseases of the Breast and Neoplasms of other Tissues

Abstract

The incidence of calcification in 1,088 cases of breast disease and neoplasms in other sites was assessed radiologically and histologically. The examination of paraffin blocks of tissue revealed calcification in 42 per cent of carcinomas of the breast, with a lower incidence and different pattern in benign mammary lesions. This agreed closely with our experience based on mammograms in which 39 per cent of carcinomas showed calcification, indicating the quality of the clinical radiographs. Some possible factors in the pathogenesis of calcification in neoplasia are discussed.