What does a nodule on a mammogram mean?

What does a nodule on a mammogram mean?

A mass (lump) with a smooth, well-defined border is often benign. Ultrasound is needed to see and describe the inside of a mass. If the mass contains fluid, it is called a cyst. A mass (lump) that has an irregular border or a starburst appearance (spiculated) might be cancerous, and a biopsy is usually recommended.

What does a cancerous breast nodule look like?

A breast lump that’s painless, hard, irregularly shaped and different from surrounding breast tissue might be breast cancer. Skin covering the lump may look red, dimpled or pitted like the skin of an orange. Your breast size and shape may change, or you may notice discharge from the nipple.

What does nodular asymmetry mean?

You may simply have more tissue in one breast than another (global asymmetry), or in one spot (focal nodular asymmetry). By using additional mammogram images, comparing prior studies to current ones, or by using different modalities like ultrasound, a radiologist can usually determine the cause of the finding.

Are breast nodules always cancerous?

Although any lump formed by body cells may be referred to technically as a tumor. Not all tumors are malignant (cancerous). Most breast lumps – 80% of those biopsied – are benign (non-cancerous).

Are cancerous breast lumps hard or soft?

Most cancerous breast tumors first appear as single, hard lumps or thickening under the skin. Other signs to watch for include a change in nipple appearance, nipple secretions, nipple tenderness, and a dimpling or puckering of the skin.

What is a asymmetric nodular density in the breast?

Breast asymmetry refers to when one breast is a different size or shape than the other. A mammogram or breast cancer screening may show asymmetrical breast size or density. What does this mean for a woman’s health? Most women’s breasts are slightly different in size, shape, and position.

How common is focal asymmetry on mammogram?

Although there is clearly a wide variation in breast size and parenchymal pattern, the breasts are generally symmetric structures with similar density and architecture. However, asymmetric breast tissue is encountered relatively frequently, having been reported to occur on 3% of mammograms (,1).

Why do I need an ultrasound after a mammogram?

Why might I need a breast ultrasound? A breast ultrasound is most often done to find out if a problem found by a mammogram or physical exam of the breast may be a cyst filled with fluid or a solid tumor. Breast ultrasound is not usually done to screen for breast cancer.

What percentage of breast masses are cancerous?

Only one percent of breast cysts are cancerous. Abscesses are also fluid-filled masses that can occur in the breast.