Get answers to your specific cancer questions from UM Greenebaum Cancer Center experts.
Breast tissue that shows no evidence of mass (aggregations of cells) or calcification is considered normal.
A well-outlined, regular, clear spot is more likely to be a non-cancerous lesion such as a cyst.
A poorly outlined, cloudy area is more likely to suggest breast cancer (a cancerous lesion). However, not all breast cancers are perfectly round, and some cancers may appear well-defined.
Sometimes, the doctor will use ultrasound to further examine the problem and determine the next best step. When findings from a mammogram or ultrasound look suspicious, a biopsy is performed to determine if it a cancerous or non-cancerous condition.
Conditions under which a biopsy may be performed include:
Smith RA, Salsow D, Sawyer KA, et al. American Cancer Society guidelines for breast cancer screening: Update 2003. CA Cancer J Clin . 2003;53(3):141-169.
Saslow D, Boetes C, Burke W, et al. American Cancer Society guidelines for breast screening with MRI as an adjunct to mammography. CA Cancer J Clin . 2007 Mar-Apr;57(2):75-89.
Lehman CD, Gatsonis C, Kuhl CK, et al. MRI evaluation of the contralateral breast in women with recently iagnosed breast cancer. N Engl J Med . 2007 Mar 29;356(13):1295-303. Epub 2007 Mar 28.
Qaseem A, Snow V, Sherif K, et al. Screening mammography for women 40 to 49 years of age: A clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med . 2007;146(7):511-515.
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