Breast Diagnostic Services

We offer 3D mammography, a revolutionary new screening and diagnostic tool designed for early breast cancer detection that can be done in conjunction with a traditional 2D digital mammogram.

A computer produces a 3D image of your breast tissue in one millimeter slices, providing greater visibility for the radiologist to see breast tissue detail. They can scroll through images of your entire breast like pages of a book. The additional 3D images make it possible for a radiologist to gain a better understanding of your breast tissue during screening and provide a more confident assessment. It also means there is less chance your doctor will call you back later for a ‘second look’.

This is a four-view digital mammogram, which includes two views of the left breast and two of the right. This exam takes approximately 10 minutes after which time you will be able to leave. Prior to the radiologist reading your films, they will be run through our Computer Aided Detection (CAD) system. CAD is a computer that highlights or marks particular areas of concern that the radiologist may want to review a second time. This does not replace the radiologist reading. Your films will be read by a breast radiologist either that same day or the next morning. If there is a suspicious area, one of our radiology staff members will contact you to schedule additional imaging. If your mammogram appears stable, you will receive a result letter within one week.

A diagnostic mammogram is scheduled when you are experiencing a new problem, or have had a recent abnormal mammogram or a personal history of breast cancer. The digital mammogram is taken the same way as a routine mammogram; however, additional or special views may be taken as well. These films will be read by a breast radiologist immediately and your results will be given to you at the time of your visit. If ultrasound or additional imaging is needed, it will also be done at that time.

Breast ultrasound is a painless test in which sound waves are used to visualize the internal structures of the breast. Images are created by the sound waves, to help identify fluid filled cysts or solid nodules (solid lumps). Ultrasound is not currently felt to be appropriate as a screening exam for breast cancer, so it is not routinely performed for all patients. However, it is a valuable diagnostic test used in evaluating possible breast abnormalities questioned during mammography, breast MRI, physical exam, or breast self exam. Ultrasound is generally used after mammography, and it is only used before or in place of mammography in certain cases, such as very young patients or pregnant women.

Breast ultrasound is performed with the patient lying on an exam table. Gel is applied to the skin to allow transmission of sound waves. We evaluate the specific area of possible abnormality questioned on the mammogram or MRI, or the area of a lump that can be felt by you or your doctor. The results of a breast ultrasound exam will be correlated with your other test results, and explained to you before you leave the office.

Remember that you cannot be sure if a new breast lump is a cyst by the way it feels, so it is important to report any new or persistent breast lump to your doctor.

Breast MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, uses a magnetic field to provide three-dimensional images of the breasts. Breast MRI is used as a screening tool for breast cancer for high-risk women (in combination with mammograms or other imaging tests), or to determine the extent of cancer found in a biopsy. During a breast MRI, the patient lies on her stomach and the breasts are positioned through special round openings in the table. A contrast agent (dye) is used to show the areas of concern more clearly. If the MRI is being done to evaluate for breast cancer, an IV is started before the exam. Breast MRI remains generally accepted as a screening tool only, and is not commonly performed as part of an initial diagnostic evaluation of a clinical (physical exam) or mammographic finding.

This is done using an ultrasound probe placed on the breast. A patient lies on her back or side while the ultrasound probe is used to locate the cyst. The area of concern is numbed using local anesthetic and a small needle is inserted directly into the cyst to withdraw fluid. If fluid cannot be obtained, the procedure will be turned into a core biopsy.

This is done using ultrasound guidance or by palpation. The area of concern is numbed using local anesthetic and a small incision is made. Using a needle, tissue samples are removed from the area. It is recommended that we get six adequate samples of tissue. The samples are then put in a solution and sent to pathology. You will receive your results in 2 to 3 business days.

This is done using ultrasound guidance or by palpation. The area of concern is numbed using local anesthetic and then, using a very small needle, cells are withdrawn from the area. These cells are put onto slides and sent off to pathology. You will receive your results in 2 to 3 business days.

A stereo biopsy is done using mammographic guidance. This is a more complex procedure that takes approximately 1 to 2 hours. At Community Breast Care, patients are offered the option of having this procedure done in a prone (lying on stomach) or upright (sitting in chair) position. Once you are in position, your breast will be held in place with light compression. X-rays will be taken to verify the location of the area to be sampled. Once the area is confirmed, it will be numbed using local anesthetic. A small incision will be made, through which a biopsy needle will be inserted. Specimens will then be taken. You may feel pressure during this time; however, you should not feel any sharp pain. Once an adequate specimen is obtained, a small titanium clip may be placed in the area through the already placed needle. If the area of concern proves to be abnormal or cancer, this clip will mark the area that needs to be excised. If it is benign, this clip can stay in your breast. You will never be able to feel it and it causes no harm to your body. A mammogram will be performed after the clip placement, which will document the location of the clip. You will receive your results in 2 to 3 business days.

A ductogram (also called a galactogram) is a specialized imaging procedure used to look at breast milk ducts to diagnose breast cancer or other conditions such as nipple discharge, papillomas or fibrocystic changes. During a ductogram, a patient lies on her back with arms above her head. The radiologist will find the duct (usually through discharge) and insert a small catheter into the duct. A contrast agent (dye) is injected through the catheter and a mammogram is taken to look at the insides of the milk duct. This exam is generally only done for bloody or clear discharge in a nipple when mammogram is otherwise normal.

If you are scheduled for surgery, it may be necessary for you to have a needle localization (needle loc). This is done the day of your surgery. A needle loc can be done using mammographic or ultrasound guidance depending on which imaging modality can best visualize the abnormality.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a procedure that identifies the first (sentinel) node or nodes that receive lymphatic fluid from a cancerous tumor, thus identifying the dominant drainage pattern. Tumors may drain to different node chains in the breast, according to the position of the tumor. This procedure identifies the nodes most likely to show whether or not the cancer has spread from the original tumor. Prior to the procedure the area around the areola will be injected with dyes that will be used to map out and identify the sentinel lymph node. The first dye is usually injected one to two hours before surgery, the second dye at the time of surgery. Or, in some cases, both dyes will be injected at the time of surgery. During the procedure, a hand-held detection probe is used to identify the area of greatest dye uptake guiding the surgeon to the lymph node(s) that drains the tumor. An incision will be made and the identified single node (or nodes) is removed. Once the sentinel lymph node (or nodes) is removed, depending on your diagnosis, the preliminary pathology review may take place at the time of your surgery or after your surgery is complete. If cancer cells are present, more lymph nodes may be removed.