Breast calcification micromorphology classification

Objectives: The importance of consistent terminology in describing the appearance of breast calcifications in mammography is well recognised. Imaging of calcifica-tions using electron microscopy is a globally growing field of research. We therefore suggest that the time is ripe to develop a lexicon of terms for classifying the micromorphology of breast calcifications.Methods: Calcifications within a wide range of histolog-ical sections of breast tissue, both benign and malignant, were imaged by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). These images were examined, and the micromorphology of calcifications present was grouped to create a classi-fication system.Results: Based on the appearance of the calcifica-tions observed, we propose five main categories for classification of the micromorphology of breast calci-fications, namely, Dense Homogenous, Punctulate, Banded, Spongy and Aggregate.Conclusions: Use of the descriptive categories outlined here will help to ensure consistency and comparability of published observations on the micromorphology of breast calcifications.Advances in knowledge: This is the first time a lexicon and classification system has been proposed for the micromorphology of breast calcifications, as observed by scanning electron microscopy of histological sections. This will facilitate comparability of observed relation-ships between micromorphology, mammographic appearance, chemistry and pathology.

Automated summary

This article proposes the development of a lexicon and classification system for the micromorphology of breast calcifications, aiming to ensure consistency and comparability in published research on this topic.