Many women who find any lumps in the chest, discomfort or pain, go to the doctor, who prescribes a number of tests. But some formations, for example, calcifications, are asymptomatic. They can be detected only with the help of radiography or mammology. In the article we learn what calcifications in the mammary gland are and the treatment that is used to eliminate them.
Determination of calcifications
Calcifications in the mammary gland are calcium salts that are deposited at the site of altered or dead tissue. This feature cannot be determined by palpation. Reliable information is obtained through mammography.
The presence of calcifications in itself is not a diagnosis, but a symptom that can speak both about the physiological characteristics of a woman and about the development of a cancerous tumor. But it should be noted that the presence of formations is a sign of oncology in only 20 percent of cases.
After confirming the presence of calcifications in the chest, the doctor sends the woman for an additional examination.
Types of Calcifications
Since the distribution of calcium salts in the mammary gland occurs in different ways, experts distinguish several types, depending on their location. Knowing the type of calcifications, we can name the reason that provoked these changes:
- Lobular. In most cases, they are benign and localized in the glandular tissue. May occur due to mastopathy, metabolic disorders and adenosis. A cyst with calcifications in the mammary gland is also a consequence of a benign process. Therefore, do not worry too much. With mammography, small calcifications in the mammary gland look like a bowl, but when viewed from the side, they have the shape of a crescent. This type of disease very rarely degenerates into malignant tumors, therefore, it does not require in-depth special treatment.
- Ductal. It is formed in the milk ducts. This type is divided into two subspecies: Plasmacytic. When diagnosed, calcifications in the mammary gland appear worm-like or dotted. They are formed due to mastitis or ectasia. Intraductal. In this case, small calcifications in the chest have a heterogeneous structure and their pattern is similar to snake skin. This type is very dangerous, since it can talk about the malignant nature of the pathology. It is necessary to conduct additional tests, including biopsies.
- Stromal. Their location occurs outside the glandular tissue. They can form in the blood vessels of the chest, fatty cysts, and skin. This type is not difficult to diagnose, since calcifications in this case are quite large. They can form with lipoma, adenoma, atherosclerosis. If the formations are small and very scattered, it is recommended to conduct a biopsy in order to exclude the malignant nature of the pathology. In other cases, the presence of calcifications of this type does not pose a threat to a woman.
Other characteristics
Calcifications in the mammary gland also differ in the form of distribution and the number of formations:
- Regional. If located in one share.
- Linear The location is in a straight line.
- Segmented. They are in the same lobule.
- Diffuse. Randomly scattered across all breasts.
- Grouped. In this case, the formations form in groups with a diameter not exceeding 1 centimeter.
You can also distinguish single calcifications in the mammary gland, which, as a rule, speak of a benign process. Multiple can be a symptom of malignant processes in the body.
Based on practice, the large size of the formations indicates a benign character. But if small deposits of calcium salts are found in large quantities, there is a high probability of the formation of malignant tumors.
Causes
The main causes of calcifications in the mammary gland are inflammatory processes. Also, experts distinguish:
- menopause;
- an excess of vitamin D and calcium in the body;
- lactostasis and mastitis;
- improper metabolism;
- cysts;
- benign diseases;
- cancer.
It is worth noting that the occurrence of pathology due to a malignant tumor occurs in 15–20% of cases. In the rest, with timely treatment, they do not cause complications.
Symptoms
Unfortunately, the formation of calcification in the chest in a woman is asymptomatic. It is very rare to feel small seals. This is obtained if the calcifications are large or very close to the surface of the skin. But this happens extremely rarely. Basically, a woman does not feel any discomfort. This is the danger of pathology, because in some cases calcification can lead to breast cancer.
Diagnosis of the disease
The main method that is used to diagnose calcification is mammography. During the procedure, which is conducted by a mammologist, the form of calcifications, their location in the tissues of the chest, and size are examined. This is necessary in order to further correctly determine the cause of the pathology and make an accurate diagnosis. Additional examinations are sometimes required. These may be the following procedures:
- Ultrasound diagnosis of the breast. But with an ultrasound of the mammary glands, calcifications can not always be detected.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
- Biopsy of damaged tissue. Conducted with suspected malignant tumor.
- A blood test for biochemistry, hormones, and tumor markers is also used for diagnosis.
Calcification treatment
If calcifications are found in the mammary glands, treatment in some cases may not be required. It will be sufficient to undergo a planned mammography procedure. And how to treat calcifications in the mammary gland when benign processes are detected in it? Recall that the deposition of calcium salts in the tissues of the chest is not an independent disease, but only a concomitant process of more serious pathologies. Therefore, treatment is prescribed individually, depending on the reasons that contributed to the appearance of formations.
In cases of the benign nature of the tumors, hormonal and anti-inflammatory therapy is prescribed, a special diet in which salt intake is minimized, and chest massage. Vitamin complexes with reduced calcium may also be prescribed. Homeopathic remedies (for example, "Mastadinon") and folk remedies are widely used.
How to treat breast calcifications, if the results of a mammogram indicate the likelihood of malignancy? In this case, the woman urgently goes to the oncologist, who carries out all the necessary tests and, based on their results, prescribes the optimal treatment. Chemotherapy, surgical removal, and radiation may be used.
Alternative methods of treatment
It is usually impossible to cure calcifications with folk remedies. But with the help of certain foods and herbs, you can establish a water-salt balance in the body and increase the absorption of calcium. Excess salts will be excreted from the body naturally.
Herbs that can help with this include:
- lavender;
- St. John's wort
- calendula;
- rose hips and junipers;
- valerian;
- elderberry and chamomile flowers.
If side effects or allergies occur, you should consult your doctor, as an overdose is possible if the infusions are used incorrectly.
Diet for calcifications
Diet in the presence of calcifications in the mammary gland is aimed at eliminating products that provoke the accumulation of salts. These include:
- Cheeses
- sweets;
- wheat and oatmeal;
- legumes;
- yeast.
It is also necessary to limit the use of salty, fatty and fried. Drinking more water is recommended.
Surgical treatment
Surgery is generally not used to treat calcifications, since healthy breast tissue may be affected during surgery. But there are situations in which this procedure is necessary. These include:
- malignant tumor;
- nodal mastopathy;
- fibroadenoma.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia. After the procedure, pain will be present, so painkillers can be used. Also, antibiotics are prescribed during the week.
Prevention
The use of preventive measures will help, if not avoid, then reduce the risk of calcifications in the mammary glands. Measures that can prevent this pathology include:
- Scheduled visits to a mammologist.
- Periodic delivery of a biochemical analysis of blood and blood for hormones is recommended. This is especially true for women who have entered the menopause phase.
- Control over calcium intake. When choosing vitamin complexes, you need to dwell on drugs that contain a reduced amount of vitamin D3 and calcium. It is also worth noting that taking this kind of vitamins should not last more than three months. Then you need to take a break.
- Since the concentration of vitamin D in the body increases the effect of ultraviolet rays on it, it is worth abandoning trips to the solarium. When in the sun, you need to use sunscreens.
- Also important in the prevention of calcification are a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition.
Forecast
What the prognosis will be after the detection of calcifications depends on the reason that provoked them. If the appearance of formations is associated with benign processes, the prognosis is generally favorable.
If cancer problems are suspected, the time to see a doctor will be of great importance. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more likely a woman is to recover.
Conclusion
You should always remember that any disease is much easier to treat at the earliest stages. If a seal is found in your chest, even if it is not painful, you should contact a mammologist as soon as possible, who will prescribe the appropriate tests. When detecting calcification, you do not need to wind yourself up and panic. Most of the reasons are benign and do not pose a threat to women's health. With early diagnosis of malignant tumors, the likelihood of a positive result from treatment grows significantly.
But since calcifications in the vast majority of cases are found only on mammography or sometimes in ultrasound diagnostics, do not neglect preventive measures and planned trips to a mammologist.