Classification of Crushed Stone-like Calcifications Produced by Malignant Processes



10.1055/b-0034-80352

Classification of Crushed Stone-like Calcifications Produced by Malignant Processes


Correlation of subgross, 3D histological and mammographic images provides a basis for the following classification of crushed stone-like calcifications produced by malignant processes.



Group 1


Mammograms showing one or two clusters of crushed stone-like calcifications that represent:


Group 1A. The main morphological finding. In these cases there is concordance between mammography and the underlying histology. The temporal changes may be deceptively gradual. The outcome is excellent, even when invasion develops, provided the tumor is surgically removed when it is still in the 1-14 mm size range. The role of MRI in detecting these cases has yet to be defined.


Group 1B. The subtle mammographic finding may represent only the “tip of the iceberg.” In these cases the true extent of the disease is seriously underestimated by mammography, although it may be adequately outlined by functional imaging methods such as MRI, since the disease involves numerous TDLUs, ducts and neoducts with little or no intervening normal tissue. The unexpectedly large tumor burden may result in a poor outcome, which can only become worse when underestimation of the disease leads to delayed or inadequate therapy.

Figs. 1.4-1 & 2. Mammographic–thick-section histological demonstration of a typical Group 1A case.
Figs. 1.5-1 & 2. Mammographic-MRI demonstration of a typical Group 1B case.

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Aug 1, 2020 | Posted by in ONCOLOGY | Comments Off on Classification of Crushed Stone-like Calcifications Produced by Malignant Processes

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