the act of diluting or the state of being diluted. 2. something diluted. Origin of dilution. 1640-1650. First recorded in 1640-50; dilute + -ion.
Calcifications: Calcifications are tiny flecks of calcium â like grains of salt â in the soft tissue of the breast that can sometimes indicate the presence of an early breast cancer. Calcifications usually can't be felt, but they appear on a mammogram. Depending on how they're clustered and their shape, size, and number, your doctor may want to do further tests. Big calcifications â macrocalcifications â are usually not associated with cancer.
Calcification can be the bodyâs protective response to injury, as well as part of a natural inflammatory reaction to infection, trauma, or autoimmune disorders. Also, tumors (cancerous or noncancerous) can result in calcification within the tumor tissue. Calcification becomes a problem when its location, shape or size interferes with the organ function, such as calcifications that harden and block blood vessels in the heart, brain and kidney. For example, with advancing age both the aortic and mitral valves can thicken and develop calcification deposits. This can lead to decreased efficiency in the heartâs pumping ability. Calcifications that are apparent on mammograms may signal the presence of breast cancer, or they may occur with benign breast disease.