Difference between calcifications, lesions and lumps?

Posted by meeshodge @meeshodge, May 28 10:12am

Just trying to learn the difference between calcifications, lumps and lesions.
Also, how is a biopsy only able to get tissue from a tiny milk duct and not the tissue around it? How can they tell if its invasive?

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Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | May 30 10:18am

I looked it up and this is the best I could find:

A lesion is damaged tissue—it might be several things, including a cancerous tumor. A lump is a mass, which can also be benign or cancerous. Calcification is a calcium deposit (in breast they can show up on mammogram).

There are several kinds of biopsies, not sure which kind you are asking about. But maybe you are asking something more?

A suggestion--a good reference librarian can probably steer you to clearer sources than I can. Any public librarian is happy to research this kind of thing for you. (I know--I'm married to one!). A medical librarian is more specialized, and would be at a med school. But public librarians are paid to aid the public--I'd start there. Do ask--librarians love to help with info. And you should get answers.