Breast Ultrasound

Breast ultrasound is presently not the accepted method to screen for breast cancer. It is helpful in the assessment of abnormal areas detected on mammograms. It can differentiate whether a breast lump is solid or cystic, and may help to distinguish between benign and malignant breast lumps. Ultrasound plays an important role in the diagnosis of breast disease particularly in young women (less than 40 years of age) and pregnant or lactating women, when the avoidance of ionising radiation is important.

Ultrasound is also useful in women who have dense breasts on mammogram and in women who have had breast augmentation. In these women, the breast prosthesis will obscure X-ray mammographic detail.

Ultrasound is also an excellent guide for interventional breast procedures, e.g. biopsies.  

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Breast

MRI is a special examination that uses a magnetic field to obtain images of specific parts of the body. In an MRI examination of the breast, the patient will be required to lie prone with her breast placed in special coils. It is a very special examination and is only done to solve specific problems not clear on mammogram or ultrasound. MRI has been found useful in young patients who have a strong family history of cancer and where mammograms of these patients cannot completely rule out breast cancer due to dense breast pattern.

Diaphanography

This examination uses special light to pass through the breast for the purpose of examination. Although safe, the technique is time consuming and requires skill to interpret the results. It is not very sensitive (50-60% sensitivity) compared to mammography (90-95% sensitivity).

Infrared and Microwave Thermography

Thermography is based on the fact that cancers give out more heat than normal tissue. Infrared thermography however, has a low true positive detection rate and also a low true negative detection rate. Therefore it is not a good screening technique for breast cancers. Microwave thermography, using microwaves, has certainly shown promising results in the detection of breast cancers and may be of value as an adjunct to mammography.

In Vivo Optical Spectroscopy (INVOS)

This technique involves using light much the same way as diaphanography. The light given out from the lesions will be analysed by a computer. This special test is quite sensitive and specific. INVOS is an efficient breast cancer risk marker and may have a role in selecting patients for mammography.

Copyright © 2001-2008 College of Radiology, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia
All Rights Reserved

Terms of Use

Last Updated:
Thursday, 21 August, 2003