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Results
By Mayo Clinic staff
Mammography produces mammograms — black-and-white images of your breast tissue on X-ray film. If your mammogram is digital, images are electronic and are displayed on a video monitor or are printed off for viewing. A radiologist interprets the images and sends a written report of the findings to your doctor.
The radiologist looks for evidence of cancer or noncancerous (benign) conditions that may require further testing, follow-up or treatment.
Possible findings include:
- Calcium deposits (calcifications) in ducts and other tissues
- Masses or lumps
- Distorted tissues
- Dense areas appearing in only one breast
- Dense areas that have appeared since your last mammogram
Calcifications can be the result of cell secretions, cell debris, inflammation, trauma, previous radiation or foreign bodies. Tiny, irregular deposits called microcalcifications may be associated with cancer. Larger, coarser deposits called macrocalcifications may be caused by aging or injury or by a benign condition such as fibroadenoma, a common noncancerous tumor of the female breast. Most breast calcifications are benign, but if calcifications appear worrisome, the radiologist might order additional diagnostic images with magnification.
Dense areas indicate tissue with many glands and can make calcifications and masses more difficult to identify. They could also represent cancer. Distorted areas suggest tumors that may have invaded neighboring tissues.
If the radiologist notes areas of concern on your mammogram, further testing may include additional mammograms known as compression or magnification views, as well as ultrasound imaging or a biopsy. Some situations require the use of diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in areas where the current imaging with mammography or ultrasound is negative.
- Mammograms and other breast imaging procedures. American Cancer Society. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- Screening mammograms: Questions and answers. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/screening-mammograms. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- Tice JA, et al. Screening and prevention of breast cancer in primary care. Journal of Primary Care. 2009;36:533.
- Venkataraman S. Breast imaging: Mammography and ultrasonography. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- Fletcher SW. Screening for breast cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- Esserman LJ, et al. Diagnostic evaluation of women with suspected breast cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of cancer. American Cancer Society. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for breast cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2009;151:716.
