Nonetheless, the size of a malignant mass is indicative of its progression. Needless to say, the objective of mammography is to detect breast cancer in its earliest stage of development. The descriptions are fairly self-explanatory, and a schematic picture of each shape is shown below. Architectural distortion is not technically a mass since there is no definite mass visible. It can be identified by distortion in the normal breast architecture, including spiculations radiating from a point and focal retraction or distortion of the parenchyma edge.
Architectural distortion can also be an associated finding of a mass.
The margin is the border of a mass, and it should be examined carefully, sometimes using magnification view for clarity. It is one of the most important criteria in determining whether the mass is likely to be benign or malignant. Circumscribed margins are well defined and sharply demarcated with an abrupt transition between the lesion and the surrounding tissue. Microlobulated margins have small undulating circles along the edge of the mass. Obscured margins are hidden by superimposed or adjacent normal tissue.