Body Part - Breast
MICROCALCIFICATION
Calcium “residue”. This can be associated with cancer or benign conditions. There is higher chance of cancer with certain microcalcification shapes.
MICROLOBULATION
This describes tiny bumps on the surface of a mass. This is a descriptor for a more suspicious appearing mass.
MILK OF CALCIUM
Calcium “residue” that collects within small cysts. This is associated with fibrocystic changes of the breast. This is not cancerous. These look like small white objects that are shaped like contact lenses on the MLO or ML views. These look fuzzy dots on the CC view.
MONDOR’S DISEASE
A condition where a vein near the skin (of the breast) clots off. There is associated inflammatory change. Sometimes, the patient can feel a hard yarn-like structure in the skin.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
A study using magnetic fields to look inside the breast. This is done with intravenous contrast when looking for breast cancer. This is done without intravenous contrast when evaluating silicone breast implants for rupture.
NEEDLE (OR WIRE) LOCALIZATION
A procedure used to “mark” the abnormality before surgery. This helps the surgeon to precisely “cut out” the abnormality.
OIL CYST
A type of cyst formed in the breast after trauma and fat necrosis. This is not cancerous.
OLD FILMS
These refer to the patient’s old mammograms. Old mammograms are VERY important in interpreting the current mammogram. Comparing with old mammograms allows the radiologist to be much more accurate with his/her diagnosis. For example, let us say that there is an asymmetry on the current mammogram. If the asymmetry is unchanged from a mammogram from 3 years ago, the likelihood that it is a cancer is very low.
PAGET’S DISEASE (breast)
Breast cancer that involves the skin of the nipple and/or areola. It causes “scaly” changes of the nipple. Often there is another cancerous tumor within the same breast – either DCIS or invasive ductal carcinoma. Additional breast imaging is usually needed when a woman presents with Paget’s of the nipple.
PALPABLE ABNORMALITY
A lump in the breast that you can easily feel.
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