What is a breast ultrasound?

A breast ultrasound is an imaging exam. People sometimes call this exam a breast cancer ultrasound. However, doctors use ultrasound to diagnose or rule out many breast conditions. This includes breast cancer and other noncancerous breast conditions. A breast ultrasound can often show doctors whether a lump is a fluid-filled cyst or a solid mass. Fluid-filled cysts are usually not cancer and may not need any further testing. However, your doctor will likely biopsy a solid mass.

Ultrasound uses painless sound waves to create pictures of body structures. This is different from X-rays and mammography, which use radiation to capture images, and breast MRI, which uses a magnetic resonance technology to generate a detailed image. Ultrasound provides doctors with alternate views of the tissue. Sonography is another name for this type of imaging exam. So you may also hear doctors and healthcare providers talk about a breast sonogram. It is the same as a breast ultrasound.

What does a breast ultrasound show, and can ultrasound detect cancer?

Mammograms are the standard breast cancer screening tool for most women. Mammograms are also useful for diagnosing breast conditions. However, there are other imaging tools doctors can use to supplement mammograms and gather more information about the breast tissue. These imaging tests include breast ultrasound and breast MRI. The breast ultrasound cost is often more affordable than other alternative breast imaging tests.

A breast ultrasound can show solid vs. fluid-filled masses, but the results of a breast ultrasound do not by themselves diagnose breast cancer. Additional testing is necessary for confirmation.

Your doctor may recommend a breast ultrasound in the following situations:

• You need breast cancer screening in addition to mammography due to a high risk of breast cancer. This includes women who have dense breast tissue. Talk with your doctor about your risk and ask whether a breast ultrasound should play a role in your screening.
• You need follow-up evaluation of a breast abnormality after a breast exam or mammogram. This is a diagnostic breast ultrasound.
• You need to avoid radiation exposure from mammograms due to pregnancy or a medical condition.
• You need a breast biopsy using a needle. Ultrasound-guided biopsy helps your doctor precisely locate the needle in the suspicious area. Taking a tissue sample during a biopsy is the only way to know for sure whether a mass is cancerous or not.

Who performs a breast ultrasound?

A sonographer, which is an ultrasound technician or technologist, will likely perform your breast ultrasound. A radiologist interprets the breast ultrasound results and may review them with you at your appointment. It’s possible the radiologist will be the one performing your breast ultrasound as well. Radiologists are physicians who perform and interpret imaging exams, including ultrasound, MRI and others. Radiologists, specifically interventional radiologists, also perform ultrasound-guided biopsies.

How is a breast ultrasound performed?

You will undress from the waist up and wear a hospital gown or jacket for a breast ultrasound. During the exam, the sonographer will move a transducer over the skin of your breast. The transducer sends out the sound waves that produce the images. A water-based gel helps the transducer stay in contact with your skin during the exam. This ensures quality images. It may tickle as the transducer glides across your breast, especially when it gets close to your underarm.

The sonographer may ask you to change positions or reposition your arm during the ultrasound. The entire exam should take 30 minutes or less. Once the exam is complete, the sonographer will give you towels to wipe away the gel. It comes off easily because it is water-based.

Where you have the ultrasound will vary according to your insurance, your location, your or your doctor’s preference, and possibly other factors. Some gynecologists and primary care providers prefer specific imaging centers, including stand-alone women’s imaging facilities or perhaps radiology centers tied to certain hospitals. In any case, it’s beneficial to continue with the same facility if you need breast ultrasounds on a yearly or otherwise regular basis. This offers continuity of care and may make it easier to detect changes in the breast tissue.

What are the risks and potential complications of a breast ultrasound?

There are no known risks of a breast ultrasound. It does not expose you to radiation as with X-rays and mammograms. However, there is the possibility of a false-positive or false-negative result. The quality and accuracy of the exam depends on the skill of the sonographer performing it and the radiologist interpreting it.

How do I prepare for a breast ultrasound?

There is no physical preparation necessary for a breast ultrasound. However, preparing for the exam can be stressful and cause anxiety. Many women need to get themselves ready mentally, especially for a diagnostic ultrasound exam. Breast centers understand that waiting for breast imaging results can be difficult. Oftentimes, the radiologist will discuss the results with you the same day. However, ultrasound-guided biopsy results can take a few days. Ask ahead of time when you can expect results from your exam. Knowing the plan can help ease the stress.

What can I expect after a breast ultrasound?

You can resume your normal activities once the exam is complete. If you have an ultrasound-guided biopsy, you may need to take it easy for a period of time. It takes a few days for your breast tissue to heal.

Your breast ultrasound results will guide your next steps. For benign or noncancerous results, you may not need any further treatment. Any other results may require additional testing, exams or treatments. If a biopsy shows cancer, your doctor will need to gather complete diagnostic information about the tumor. This process helps your doctor plan and recommend the best treatment options for you.