Since calcification is one of the two most common signs of breast disease in mammography, we will learn to describe the différent types of calcification and relate them to the likelihood of malignancy. We will also learn to differentiate calcification from artifact.

The shape of the calcification represents a cast of an underling space.

Benign spaces in the breast are smooth, round or tubular shaped, yielding smooth round and smooth rod shaped calcifications.

Malignant processes show irregular growth of solid tissue, ductal lumen and necrosis, giving rise to irregular shaped calcifications of several types.