title: Microcalcification-Associated Breast Cancer: Presentation, Successful First Excision, Long-Term Recurrence and Survival Rate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study we evaluated mammographic, histological and immunohistochemical findings for microcalcification-associated breast cancer with regards to breast-conserving therapy, recurrence and survival rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed 99 consecutive, non-palpable and microcalcification-associated breast cancers (94 women) that were treated surgically between January 2002 and December 2003 at a national academic breast cancer center. Calcifications were classified according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). Descriptors, surgical outcome and histological findings were assessed. Recurrences and survival rates were evaluated based on medical records, standardized patient questionnaires and/or contacting the physician.
  
  
  RESULTS
  42 of the 99 lesions (42.4%) were invasive carcinomas, 57 (57.6%) were pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). 6 out of 99 (6.1%) lesions were triple negative, and 29 (29.3%) were HER2/neu positive. Successful first excision rate was 76/99 lesions (76.8%). Breast conservation was achieved in 73.7% (73/99). 10 women showed local recurrences without negatively impacting survival. The recurrences included round/punctate, amorphous, fine pleomorphic, and fine linear or fine-linear branching descriptors. The breast cancer-specific long-term survival rate was 91/94 (96.8%) for a mean follow-up of 81.4 months. The 3 patients who died due to breast carcinoma showed fine pleomorphic calcifications, and had nodal-positive invasive carcinoma at diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microcalcification-associated breast cancers are frequently treated with breast-conserving therapy. Continuous clinical and mammographic follow-up is recommended for all descriptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marga B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Rominger
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Psychiatry, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Carolin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Steinmetz
authors.affiliation: Competence Center for Mortality Follow-up, German National Cohort Study, University Hospital of Philipp University Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ronny
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Westerman
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Philipp University Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramaswamy
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Krankenhaus Nordwest, Frankfurt/M., Germany.
authors.forename: Ute-Susann
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Albert
keywords: Breast cancer; Imaging; Prognostic value; Recurrence; Survival