Most frequent mamography findings at glance

Mammograms are pictures (x-rays) of the breast, used to check for breast cancer. Possible mammogram findings include:

• Lumps (mass or tumor). Lumps come in different sizes and shapes. Fluid-filled cystics are usually smooth and rounded, with clear, defined edges and are not cancer. Lumps that have a jagged outline and an irregular shape are of more concern.
• Calcifications. There are two types of breast calcifications, or calcium deposits:
  • Macrocalcifications which look like small white dots on a mammogram. They are often caused by aging, an old injury, or inflammation and are usually bening.
  • Microcalcifications, which look like white specks on a mammogram. If found in an area of rapidly dividing cells or grouped together in a certain way, they may be a sign of DCIS or breast cancer.
• Dense breat tissue: A dense breast has relatively less fat and more glandular and connective tissue. This mammogram finding is both common and normal, especially among younger women and women who use menospuasal hormone therapy. Dense breast tissue can make a mammogram more difficult to interpret because both dense breast tissue and breast tumors appear as solid white areas in the image.



Pictures with different findings on the mammograms