Thank you for your post and Welcome! A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to make a picture of the tissues inside the breast. A breast ultrasound can show all areas of the breast, including the area closest to the chest wall, which is hard to study with a mammogram. Breast ultrasound does not use X-rays or other potentially harmful types of radiation.
A breast ultrasound is used to see whether a breast lump is filled with fluid (a cyst) or if it is a solid lump. An ultrasound does not replace the need for a mammogram, but it is often used to check abnormal results from a mammogram.
A breast ultrasound may be done to:
Find the cause of breast symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and redness.
Check a breast lump found on breast self-examination or physical examination. It is used to see whether a breast lump is fluid-filled (a cyst) or if it is a solid lump. A lump that has no fluid or that has fluid with floating particles may need more tests.
Check abnormal results from a mammogram.
Look at the breasts in younger women because their breast tissue is often more dense, and a mammogram may not show as much detail.
Guide the placement of a needle or other tube to drain a collection of fluid (cyst) or pus (abscess), take a sample of breast tissue (biopsy), or guide breast surgery.
Watch for changes in the size of a cyst.
See how far cancer has spread in a breast.
Check your breasts if you have silicone breast implants or dense breasts. In these situations, a mammogram may not be able to see breast lumps.
Comment Reply
Hi there Anon,
Thank you for your post and Welcome! A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to make a picture of the tissues inside the breast. A breast ultrasound can show all areas of the breast, including the area closest to the chest wall, which is hard to study with a mammogram. Breast ultrasound does not use X-rays or other potentially harmful types of radiation.
A breast ultrasound is used to see whether a breast lump is filled with fluid (a cyst) or if it is a solid lump. An ultrasound does not replace the need for a mammogram, but it is often used to check abnormal results from a mammogram.
A breast ultrasound may be done to:
Find the cause of breast symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and redness.
Check a breast lump found on breast self-examination or physical examination. It is used to see whether a breast lump is fluid-filled (a cyst) or if it is a solid lump. A lump that has no fluid or that has fluid with floating particles may need more tests.
Check abnormal results from a mammogram.
Look at the breasts in younger women because their breast tissue is often more dense, and a mammogram may not show as much detail.
Guide the placement of a needle or other tube to drain a collection of fluid (cyst) or pus (abscess), take a sample of breast tissue (biopsy), or guide breast surgery.
Watch for changes in the size of a cyst.
See how far cancer has spread in a breast.
Check your breasts if you have silicone breast implants or dense breasts. In these situations, a mammogram may not be able to see breast lumps.
Hope this helps!
Rosa
October 11, 2011 - 6:00amThis Comment
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