Mammogram is a low-dose x-ray picture of the breast.
Procedure
One of the patient’s breasts is placed on a clear plastic plate and gently, but firmly, pressed from another plate above her breast.
The plates flatten and keep it still, which helps produce a better mammogram image. The pressure lasts a few seconds and does not harm the breast.
The same steps are repeated with the other breast.
The plates of the machine are then tilted to take a side view of each breast.
A completed procedure results in two different x-rays of each breast, for a total of four x-rays.
Digital Mammogram
An x-ray procedure that is the best screening tool to detect early breast cancer in women
No preparation needed, and conducted on an out-patient basis
Patient should be conscious, awake and cooperative
Annual mammogram is recommended at the age of 40
Screening Mammogram
Mostly done as a routine study
Performed in women without any clinical signs and symptoms
Only four basic views are taken
Diagnostic Mammogram
Performed in women with clinical signs and symptoms and in patients who are at high risk (those with family history of breast cancer)
Aside from the four basic views, one or more views may be taken if necessary
Breast Ultrasound (Sonomammogram)
A complimentary study to mammography
Characterizes clinically palpable or mammographically seen lesion, distinguishing it either as a solid or a cystic mass
No preparation needed
Special Procedures
Needle Wire Localization
Usually done an hour or two prior to surgical removal of a specific abnormality in the breast either under mammography or ultrasound guidance
Used as a guide for surgeons to the correct site of the target lesion within the breast, enabling them to successfully remove the suspicious abnormality
After the procedure, patient is brought to the operating room for the surgery
Percutaneous Core Needle Biopsy uses a large core needle to obtain breast tissue samples for histopathologic examination
Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) uses a fine needle to obtain fluid sample from a suspicious lesion or cyst for cytologic exam
Cyst Aspiration
Uses a small-gauged needle to aspirate fluid from a breast cyst (a fluid-filled sac inside the breast)
usually done to alleviate patient’s symptom from a large or palpable breast cyst
Galactography used to evaluate the involved ductal system of the patient’s breast complaining of nipple discharge. Discharge may either clear, straw-colored or bloody.
