Reasons for a Diagnostic Mammogram & Ultrasound
Mammograms are screening evaluations of breast tissue 3. With recent advances in technology, these screening tools have reduced the number of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer at later stages. Combined with the advancements in treatment, the five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer now hovers around 98 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute 1. Mammograms, ultrasounds and self-breast examination are the three most important pieces of an early diagnosis and treatment plan.
Questions After Screening
Diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds of the breast are used to differentiate any benign or potentially cancerous abnormalities in breast tissue. During a screening mammogram, low dose X-rays are used which gives a general overview of breast tissue. In approximately 10 percent of mammogram screenings, an additional diagnostic evaluation will be requested for a more detailed view of the tissue using magnification and spot compression.
Size and Location
What Is the Difference Between a Regular Mammogram & a Bilateral Mammogram?
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A diagnostic mammogram is used to pinpoint the exact size and location of any breast abnormality. It is also able to image the surrounding tissue so physicians are best able to diagnose the problem. Although diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound can help distinguish between suspicious and benign tumors, biopsy is the only definitive method to diagnose breast cancer.
Differentiation
Diagnostic ultrasound imaging can be used to evaluate lumps that are hard to see in diagnostic mammograms and differentiate between solid tumors and fluid-filled cysts. When a screening or diagnostic mammogram detects a tumor, the physician may order a diagnostic ultrasound to complete the picture prior to ordering a needle biopsy. A Doppler ultrasound can also be used to determine the blood supply to a breast lesion.
New Problems
Abnormal Mammograms & Calcification
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A diagnostic mammogram is often ordered when a woman discovers a new lump or change in her breast tissue. Physicians use the results to evaluate the new problem and decide if further imaging studies are required to rule out cancer. Results of the diagnostic exam are usually given to the patient as she is leaving the examination. Those results are then immediately available to her private physician.
- A diagnostic mammogram is often ordered when a woman discovers a new lump or change in her breast tissue.
Related Articles
References
- National Cancer Institute: SEER Stat Fact Sheets -- Breast Cancer
- American Cancer Society: Mammograms and Other Breast Imaging Tests
- Department of Health and Human Services: Screening and Diagnostic Mammography
- Madjar H. Role of Breast Ultrasound for the Detection and Differentiation of Breast Lesions. Breast Care (Basel). 2010;5(2):109-114. doi:10.1159/000297775
- Haghighi F, Naseh G, Mohammadifard M, Abdollahi N. Comparison of mammography and ultrasonography findings with pathology results in patients with breast cancer in Birjand, Iran. Electron Physician. 2017;9(10):5494-5498. doi:10.19082/5494
- Brem RF, Lenihan MJ, Lieberman J, Torrente J. Screening breast ultrasound: past, present, and future. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2015;204(2):234-40. doi:10.2214/AJR.13.12072
- Kolb TM, Lichy J, Newhouse JH. Comparison of the performance of screening mammography, physical examination, and breast US and evaluation of factors that influence them: an analysis of 27,825 patient evaluations. Radiology. 2002;225(1):165-75. doi:10.1148/radiol.2251011667
- Mootz AR, Madhuranthakam AJ, Doğan B. Changing Paradigms in Breast Cancer Screening: Abbreviated Breast MRI. Eur J Breast Health. 2019;15(1):1-6. doi:10.5152/ejbh.2018.4402
- National Cancer Institute. Breast Cancer Screening (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version.
- American Cancer Society. Finding Breast Cancer During Pregnancy: Mammogram While Pregnant.
- Omranipour R, Kazemian A, Alipour S, et al. Comparison of the Accuracy of Thermography and Mammography in the Detection of Breast Cancer. Breast Care (Basel). 2016;11(4):260-264. doi:10.1159/000448347
- American Cancer Society. Finding Breast Cancer During Pregnancy. Atlanta, Georgia; updated October 29, 2017. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/finding-breast-cancer-during-pregnancy.html
- Brem, R.; Lenihan, M.; Lieberman, J. et al. Screening Breast Ultrasound: Past, Present, and Future. Am J Roentgenol. 2015;204: 234-40. DOI: 10.2214/AJR.13.12072.
- Kolb, T.; Lichy, J.; Newhouse, J. Comparison of the performance of screening mammography, physical examination, and breast US and evaluation of factors that influence them: an analysis of 27,825 patient evaluations. Radiology. 2002 Oct;225(1):165-75.
- Macklin, S.; Gass, J.; Mitri, G. et al. The Role of Screening MRI in the Era of Next Generation Sequencing and Moderate-Risk Genetic Mutations. Fam Cancer. 2017 June;17(1):167-73. DOI: 10.1007/s10689-017-0007-9.
- Miglioretti, D., Lange, J., van den Broek, J. et al. Radiation-Induced Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality from Digital Mammography Screening. Ann Int Med. 2016. 164(4):205-14. DOI: 10.7326/m15-1241.
- National Cancer Institute. Breast Cancer Screening (PDQ) – Health Professional Version. Bethesda, Maryland; updated March 14, 2019.
Writer Bio
Gail Morris has been writing extensively since 1997. She completed a master's degree in nursing at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and practiced in medicine for more than 20 years. Morris has published medical articles in peer-reviewed journals and now writes for various online publications and freelances for Internet marketers.