Diagnostics wk 10

Please write a 300 word reply to my classmate, her discussion post is below. APA format. NO AI. My professor is a stickler for AI. PLEASE NO AI. scholarly written, APA formatted and a minimum of 3 references (which may include the course textbook).

"Cecila: Probable Diagnosis

Calcifications in breast tissue are accumulations of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate, found in almost all mammograms. There are two types that are commonly found: macrocalcifications, which are usually benign, and microcalcifications. Microcalcifications require further evaluation of pattern, type, biopsy, and additional imaging (Wilkinson et al, 2016). While only about 20% of microcalcifications precede a cancer diagnose, it is important to rule out with further testing if unable to verify with the mammogram alone (Should women have mammography, n.d.). Since the patient is otherwise asymptomatic, the probable diagnosis is Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS), a common, noninvasive breast cancer found in the milk ducts. It is curable in almost all cases since it is localized to only the milk ducts and is detected by microcalcifications found in a mammogram (National Breast Cancer Foundation, 2026).

Differential Diagnoses

Additional diagnoses to rule out are atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), a form of atypical hyperplasia, where abnormal cells are proliferating in the ducts of the breast. Presence of ADH indicates an increased risk for developing breast cancer in the future.  Another consideration is fibroadenoma, a solid, hormonal tumor that is benign and treatment is not necessary. Additionally, we can rule out sclerosing adenosis, a lesion of fibrous tissues and glandular cells and will be considered as well. Like fibroadenomas, sclerosing adenosis is benign and requires no treatment (Rogers, 2023, p. 804).

Diagnostic Studies and Basic Treatments

A comprehensive assessment, including family history and lifestyle, will be obtained to determine patient’s risk of breast cancer. If radiologists are unable to verify if calcifications are benign based on analysis of mammogram, a biopsy will be performed using ultrasound for guidance and sent to pathology for further determination. Pathologist will be able to grade the biopsy, to determine the likelihood of calcifications progressing to invasive cancer (National Breast Cancer Foundation, 2026). A biopsy can also rule out fibroadenomas, ADH, and sclerosing adenosis.

            With a confirmed DCIS diagnosis, treatment can be a single or combination of therapies including mastectomy, lumpectomy, hormones, or radiation. The most common treatment, and appropriate for this patient, would be a lumpectomy to remove affected tissues, followed by radiation to prevent reoccurrence. This patient will be instructed to return for an annual mammogram, considering 15% of DCIS may return after treatment with lumpectomy and radiation (National Breast Cancer Foundation, 2026). The patient will be educated on the importance of lifestyle modifications as necessary, like weight loss, increase in activity level, diet, and decrease in alcohol consumption, as these factors can increase risk for developing breast cancer (Rogers, 2023, p. 806).

References

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). (2026). National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/dcis/

Rogers, J. L. (2023). Mccance & Huether’s pathophysiology: The biological basis for disease in adults and children (9th ed.). Elsevier.

Should women with dense breasts still have mammography screening? (n.d). Dense Breast Info. https://densebreast-info.org/providers-faqs/should-women-with-dense-breasts-still-have-mammography-screening/

Wilkinson, L., Thomas, V., & Sharma, N. (2016). Microcalcification on mammography: approaches to interpretation and biopsy. The British Journal of Radiology."