Biopsy for microcalcification detected by mammography.

Fifty-two patients who were biopsied because of the presence of clustered microcalcifications on mammography, in the absence of any definable mass on x-ray or physical examination, were studied. Localization of the microcalcifications was obtained by measuring the area in relation to the vertical and horizontal axes from the nipple on both lateral and cephalocaudad views. Specimen radiography was obtained to ensure that the area with microcalcifications had been included in the specimen. Carcinoma was found in 17 instances (33%). In four (24%) the detected microcalcifications corresponded to fibrocystic disease, with carcinoma being found only in adjacent tissue with little or no calcifications. Precise localization and removal of only the area containing calcifications without excision of a generous margin of surrounding tissue may result in the exclusion of an adjacent carcinoma.