Breast ultrasound:
a) U/S is investigation of choice in breast implant rupture.
b) U/S investigation of choice in patients age 50.
c) Surest sign of malignant axillary lymph nodes is loss of hilar fat.
D) Multiple intra-ductal papillomatosis shows malignant potential (true).
e) intra-mammory lymph nodes needs serial follow up evaluaitons (false).
---------------------------
Breast ultrasound, what is it and who is it recommended for?
This non-invasive imaging test helps determine if breast lesions are benign or malignant and differentiate between solid masses or cysts. It is very advisable for women with dense breasts.
In Spain, 26,500 women with breast cancer are diagnosed every year, which is the leading cause of death from malignant tumors among the female population. However, the survival of those who receive the bad news of having this type of cancer has grown, up to 82.8 percent five years after diagnosis; thanks to the improvement of treatments and early diagnosis.
Three out of ten cases of breast cancer are detected in the early stages, which makes the tumor easier to treat and has a greater range of options for eradication. Therefore, periodic evaluations are recommended towards the age of 40 and even before in the case of women with a family history and other risk factors, such as having dense breasts. For these latter cases, it is advisable to supplement the reviews with a breast ultrasound.
What is a breast ultrasound?
It is a type of imaging test using sound waves or ultrasound that is usually performed to obtain additional information to other tests, such as mammography - images taken with X-rays - or an MRI of the chest - which uses magnets and waves radio to get the images.
It is a non-invasive medical examination - without injections or needles, that is, without generating pain - and free of risks to women's health, since there is no radiation exposure. It allows to obtain images in real time to check the structure and movement of the organs and the blood flow that circulates through the vessels.
Except for not applying creams, lotions or any type of products to the chest on the day of the test, no special preparation is necessary. Once the woman is lying on her back, the radiologist applies a cold gel to the breast, over which a manual device will be passed to examine the inside of the chest.
Being a complementary evaluation to mammography, it is usually used to have more data or more detailed information when a tumor has been detected in a breast exam, mammography results are abnormal or there is discharge from the transparent or bloody nipple.
Cases in which breast ultrasound is used:
Specialists usually ask a woman to have a breast ultrasound in the following cases:
- Determine the characteristics of breast lesions and their area.
- Establish whether an abnormality detected in the mammogram is benign or cancerous.
- Differentiate between masses or non-cancerous tumors with cysts - sacs with fluid - or fibroadenomas - solid benign tumors.
- Guide a needle during a breast autopsy.
- Detect small tumors that have not yet spread to the lymph nodes, although it does not allow seeing all types of cancer.
- In the case of women with dense breasts, whose breast lesions are more difficult to detect with mammography.
A complementary test for women with dense breasts:
The American Society of Mammary Diseases (ASBD) recommended in its guidelines issued in 2013 that a total ultrasound of the breasts, in addition to mammography, be included in cancer screening protocols in women with dense breasts.
Dense breasts are those that have less fat and more non-fat tissue, which makes them more difficult to evaluate with a conventional mammogram. As women with dense breast are six times more likely to develop cancer and it is more difficult to detect in this type of breast, it is recommended to include breast ultrasound in routine examinations of this group.
In general, women with dense breasts, doctors and specialists are advised to have a monthly breast self-examination, go to an annual medical check of the breasts and have a digital mammogram per year after age 40.
Limitations of breast ultrasound:
Among the few "buts" that can be put on breast ultrasound, the Spanish Society of Medical Radiology points out that the interpretation of its results may lead to other processes, such as a follow-up ultrasound or a biopsy; In addition to that many injuries that are considered doubtful are found to be benign.
Other limitations are that it does not allow visualizing all cancers and a biopsy may be necessary to determine if a lesion is carcinogenic or not, and that it cannot detect all the microcalcifications observed in mammography, in addition to not replacing the need to undergo to an MRI of the chest when directed by the doctor.
a) U/S is investigation of choice in breast implant rupture.
b) U/S investigation of choice in patients age 50.
c) Surest sign of malignant axillary lymph nodes is loss of hilar fat.
D) Multiple intra-ductal papillomatosis shows malignant potential (true).
e) intra-mammory lymph nodes needs serial follow up evaluaitons (false).
---------------------------
Breast ultrasound, what is it and who is it recommended for?
This non-invasive imaging test helps determine if breast lesions are benign or malignant and differentiate between solid masses or cysts. It is very advisable for women with dense breasts.
In Spain, 26,500 women with breast cancer are diagnosed every year, which is the leading cause of death from malignant tumors among the female population. However, the survival of those who receive the bad news of having this type of cancer has grown, up to 82.8 percent five years after diagnosis; thanks to the improvement of treatments and early diagnosis.
Three out of ten cases of breast cancer are detected in the early stages, which makes the tumor easier to treat and has a greater range of options for eradication. Therefore, periodic evaluations are recommended towards the age of 40 and even before in the case of women with a family history and other risk factors, such as having dense breasts. For these latter cases, it is advisable to supplement the reviews with a breast ultrasound.
What is a breast ultrasound?
It is a type of imaging test using sound waves or ultrasound that is usually performed to obtain additional information to other tests, such as mammography - images taken with X-rays - or an MRI of the chest - which uses magnets and waves radio to get the images.
It is a non-invasive medical examination - without injections or needles, that is, without generating pain - and free of risks to women's health, since there is no radiation exposure. It allows to obtain images in real time to check the structure and movement of the organs and the blood flow that circulates through the vessels.
Except for not applying creams, lotions or any type of products to the chest on the day of the test, no special preparation is necessary. Once the woman is lying on her back, the radiologist applies a cold gel to the breast, over which a manual device will be passed to examine the inside of the chest.
Being a complementary evaluation to mammography, it is usually used to have more data or more detailed information when a tumor has been detected in a breast exam, mammography results are abnormal or there is discharge from the transparent or bloody nipple.
Cases in which breast ultrasound is used:
Specialists usually ask a woman to have a breast ultrasound in the following cases:
- Determine the characteristics of breast lesions and their area.
- Establish whether an abnormality detected in the mammogram is benign or cancerous.
- Differentiate between masses or non-cancerous tumors with cysts - sacs with fluid - or fibroadenomas - solid benign tumors.
- Guide a needle during a breast autopsy.
- Detect small tumors that have not yet spread to the lymph nodes, although it does not allow seeing all types of cancer.
- In the case of women with dense breasts, whose breast lesions are more difficult to detect with mammography.
A complementary test for women with dense breasts:
The American Society of Mammary Diseases (ASBD) recommended in its guidelines issued in 2013 that a total ultrasound of the breasts, in addition to mammography, be included in cancer screening protocols in women with dense breasts.
Dense breasts are those that have less fat and more non-fat tissue, which makes them more difficult to evaluate with a conventional mammogram. As women with dense breast are six times more likely to develop cancer and it is more difficult to detect in this type of breast, it is recommended to include breast ultrasound in routine examinations of this group.
In general, women with dense breasts, doctors and specialists are advised to have a monthly breast self-examination, go to an annual medical check of the breasts and have a digital mammogram per year after age 40.
Limitations of breast ultrasound:
Among the few "buts" that can be put on breast ultrasound, the Spanish Society of Medical Radiology points out that the interpretation of its results may lead to other processes, such as a follow-up ultrasound or a biopsy; In addition to that many injuries that are considered doubtful are found to be benign.
Other limitations are that it does not allow visualizing all cancers and a biopsy may be necessary to determine if a lesion is carcinogenic or not, and that it cannot detect all the microcalcifications observed in mammography, in addition to not replacing the need to undergo to an MRI of the chest when directed by the doctor.
Labels
MCQ