Breast Diagnostics and Procedures

Common Tests and Procedures for Breast Diagnostics

Screening and Diagnostic Tests for Breast Disorders

• Breast MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)–MRI uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create images of the breast. It is particularly useful in screening young women with dense breast tissue who may have a high risk of developing breast cancer. It has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1991 for use as a supplemental tool, in addition to mammography, to help diagnose breast cancer. MRI is also useful for staging breast cancer to help determine the most appropriate treatment.
  
  

• Breast Ultrasound–Breast ultrasound, also known as sonography or ultrasonography, is frequently used when an abnormality found on a mammogram or by clinical physical exam is believed to be a cyst (a fluid-filled pocket). However, ultrasound does not provide as much detail as a mammogram image and is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a screening tool for breast cancer.
  
  
• Ductography (Ductal Lavage)–A ductogram may be useful in assessing patients with nipple discharge but who have otherwise negative findings on mammogram or ultrasound. A tiny tube is placed in the opening of the duct and a small amount of liquid dye is injected into the duct.
  

  
  

• Mammography–This low-dose X-ray provides a picture of the internal structure of the breast. A mammogram can be done to screen for signs of abnormalities, such as tumors and cysts, or to evaluate a specific area of concern or problem that was detected during screening or physical examination. Mammography is currently the only FDA approved exam to be used to screen for breast cancer in women with no symptoms of the disease (such as a breast lump).