| |
 |
| |
| Mammogram |
| |
| What is a mammogram? |
- A mammogram is an x-ray examination of the breast. It is used to detect
and diagnose breast disease in women who either have breast problems
such as a lump, pain, or nipple discharge, as well as for women who
have no breast complaints.
Mammography cannot prove that an abnormal area is cancer, but if it
raises a significant suspicion of cancer, tissue will be removed for
a biopsy. Tissue may be removed by needle or open surgical biopsy and
examined under a microscope to determine if it is cancer.
Mammography has been used for about 30 years, and in the past 15 years
technical advancements have greatly improved both the technique and
results. Today, dedicated equipment, used only for breast x-ray pictures,
produce studies that are high in quality but low in radiation dose.
Radiation risks are considered to be negligible.
|
| |
| How is mammography performed? |
X-rays of the breast are different than those used
than for other parts of the body. The breast x-ray does not penetrate tissue
as easily as the x-ray used for routine x-rays of other parts of the body.
The breast is compressed by the mammogram equipment to spread the tissue
apart. This allows for a lower dose of radiation. Compression of the breast
may cause temporary discomfort, but is necessary to produce a good mammogram.
The compression only lasts for a few seconds for each image of the breast.
The x-ray technologist will usually take the x-rays. The resulting films
are read and interpreted by a radiologist, who reports the results to the
patient's doctor. |
| |
| What conditions does a mammogram show? |
|
A mammogram will show the following conditions:
Calcifications, tiny mineral deposits within the breast tissue.
There are two categories of calcifications:
- Macrocalcifications - coarse calcium deposits that usually
indicate degenerative changes in the breasts, such as:
aging of the breast arteries
old injuries inflammations
- Microcalcifications - tiny (less than 1/50 of an inch) specks
of calcium. When many microcalcifications are seen in one area, they
are referred to as a cluster.
|
| Masses, which may occur with or without associated
calcifications, and may be due to different causes, including: |
Cyst - a non-cancerous collection of fluid in the
breast. It cannot be diagnosed by physical exam alone nor by mammography
alone. Either breast ultrasound or aspiration with a needle is required.
If a mass is not a cyst, then further imaging may be obtained.
Benign breast conditions - masses can be monitored with periodic mammography,
but others may require immediate or delayed biopsy. breast cancer |
| Two kinds of mammograms are used: |
A screening mammogram is an x-ray of the breast
used to detect breast changes in women who have no signs of breast cancer.
It usually involves 2 x-rays of each breast.
Using a mammogram, it is possible to detect a tumor that cannot be felt.
A diagnostic mammogram is an x-ray of the breast used to diagnose unusual
breast changes, such as: a lump, pain, nipple thickening or discharge, or
a change in breast size or shape. A diagnostic mammogram is also used to
evaluate abnormalities detected on a screening mammogram. |
| |
| This page was last modified on July 05, 2001 |
FAQs