Post on 12-Jun-2020
transcript
Answers to common questions
by those referred for a
mammogram or an ultrasound
for breast lumps/lumpy breast
What Ultrasound and Mammograms May Show
Mammograms may show the lump in question and provide
some clues as to its nature. A metal marker is taped to the
skin of the breast over the lump to assist this evaluation and
special mammogram views are taken of the area in question.
More importantly,
however, the mammogram
allows assessment of
tissue elsewhere in both
breasts for possible
abnormalities which are
non-palpable. Breast
ultrasound is frequently
more informative than mammography in breast lump
evaluation. If ultrasound shows a simple cyst, no further
diagnosis or treatment is usually necessary, unless the
lump is tender or painful.
Some complex cysts and solid lumps have overlapping
ultrasound features and require further investigation by
removal of tissue for laboratory analysis. Removal of fluid is
called an aspiration and removal of tissue a biopsy. If the
affected area is well-demonstrated using ultrasound or
mammography these images can be used to allow a
radiologist to precisely guide a needle into the lump
removing either fluid, or cores of tissue for microscopic
analysis. Alternately, the entire lump can be removed in a
surgical operation.
Darlene G. Cass Women's Imaging Center provides breast health diagnostic procedures such as: screening and diagnostic mammography, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), stereotactic biopsy, ultrasound and ultrasound-guided biopsy. Bone density screening and evaluations are also provided.
Patient Scheduling: (214) 820-2430Scheduling Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pmOffice Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm Two Saturdays a month, 8 am – Noon
Two locations to serve your needs:
Baylor University Medical Center at DallasDarlene G. Cass Women’s Imaging Center at JuniusBaylor Medical Pavilion3900 Junius St., Ste. 200, Dallas, Texas 75246
Baylor University Medical Center at DallasDarlene G. Cass Women’s Imaging Center at North DallasBaylor Health Center at North Dallas9101 N. Central Expwy., Ste. 200, Dallas, Texas 75231
BaylorHealth.com
The W. H. & Peggy Smith Baylor Sammons Breast Center provides education on breast health including benign breast conditions, screening and diagnostic services, and breast cancer treatment options. Information is also provided about breast cancer prevention, hereditary risk, clinical trials and reconstructive surgery.
For information call (214) 820-9600.
Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas or Baylor Health Care System. ©2008 Baylor Health Care System. MOD-08030 BUMC-DCWIC. 5,000. 5/08
Breast Lumpsor Lumpy Breast?
The Lumpy Breast
“Lumpiness” is a term frequently
used to describe the palpable texture
of the breast in many women. This is
usually due to prominent normal milk
glands, ducts and the
fibrous supporting tissue
which surrounds these
structures. This
lumpiness may vary from
fine irregularities to more
coarse and nodular
alterations in breast
texture and is most prominent in the
upper outer and underside areas of
the breast. Such findings are
frequently cyclical, changing during
the menstrual cycle as normal breast tissue reacts and
responds to the fluctuating influence of normal female
hormones (estrogen and progesterone). Such lumpiness may
be associated with cyclical pain or discomfort (see our
pamphlet entitled “Breast Pain”).
For many years women with lumpy breasts have been
diagnosed with “fibrocystic
disease”. This term is both
unfortunate and erroneous.
Most such women do not have
prominent cysts and any
condition affecting at least half
of normal women should not
be considered a “disease.” Mammograms and ultrasound
examinations of areas of lumpiness are most often normal.
There are no effective treatments and none are needed for
this essentially normal variation in breast texture. We urge all
women to learn and regularly practice breast
self-examination so that they can become familiar with the
texture and cyclic variation of their own breasts.
The Breast Lump
A breast lump as distinguished from the “lumpiness”
discussed above, will feel different especially to the women
practicing regular breast self-examination. Lumps are
frequently not a subtle finding for women experienced at
breast self-examination. They usually feel more discrete and
stand out from the surrounding tissue.
Many doctors will insert a thin needle into the lump for
diagnosis in their office. If the lump is a fluid filled cyst this
procedure can both diagnose and
treat the lump by removal of cyst
fluid and cause the lump to
disappear. If no fluid is extracted
the needle contents can be sent
for laboratory analysis (fluid
needle aspiration cytology).
Breast ultrasound can both find
lumps and distinguish between
fluid-filled (cysts) and solid
lumps (see our pamphlet
entitled “Breast Cysts”). When
a woman is referred to Baylor
Women’s Imaging Center with
an undiagnosed breast
lump, an ultrasound
examination will usually
be performed.
For young women for whom a mammogram may
not be appropriate, the ultrasound examination may
be the only test needed.
The Palpable Lump with a Normal Mammogram and Ultrasound
Sometimes a palpable lump cannot be seen on either the
mammogram or the ultrasound images. This suggests that
the lump is a benign process and may be formed by normal
breast tissue.
Occasionally, however, a real breast lump may not be seen
with either mammograms or ultrasound. Although these
normal imaging tests are reassuring, continued monitoring
of the palpable area by the woman herself and by her doctor
is essential. Examination by a surgeon is recommended for
any persistent or enlarging lump despite normal
mammograms and ultrasound tests.
Monthly
breast self-
examination
provides
women the
opportunity
for early
detection of
a breast
“lump,” which
may be a
life-saving
discovery.
The term “palpable” is used to define anything that can be felt by
the examining fingers of a health care provider or of the woman
herself. Such palpable findings may be normal or abnormal.