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Do you wonder what your mammogram result means? What do the scales used to describe it mean? If so, then this article is for you! Mammography is a non-invasive method of imaging breast structures using X-rays. It is considered a safe and sensitive test. Unfortunately, it may be slightly uncomfortable due to the compression of the breasts during the examination.
Mammography is indicated primarily in middle-aged and elderly women due to the advantage of adipose tissue over glandular tissue and connective tissue stroma.
Mammography – indications
Main indications for mammography:
- suspicion of a breast tumor,
- enlarged axillary and supraclavicular lymph nodes,
- abnormalities shown during breast ultrasound,
- abnormalities when palpating the breasts, e.g. thickening, lump,
- bloody discharge from the nipple
- screening for women between 50 and 69 years of age.
How to prepare for a mammogram?
Selected terms used to describe the mammography result
Mammography is primarily used to detect breast cancer, therefore the dictionary of terms used to describe the result is quite poor. The most common are:
- Mastopathy as a result of mammography
Which means: mammography often results in the term “mastopathic breast”, the so-called fibrocystic disease of the breast.
Interpretation: Mastopathy involves a number of benign changes, such as fibrosis or the presence of a cyst. Therefore, it is not a cause for concern, especially in oncology.
What is mastopathy?
- Microcalcifications as a result of mammography
What they mean: These are calcium deposits that build up in the mammary glands.
Interpretation: most of the microcalcifications detected in mammography suggest the presence of benign lesions, e.g. fibroadenomas. Unfortunately, when microcalcifications form into clumps and form spicules, they may indicate the presence of breast cancer. The presence of microcalcifications is an indication for a fine needle aspiration biopsy.
Learn more about breast fibroadenoma
- Round shadow or lump with well-defined mammography
Which means: a single lump, several centimeters in diameter.
Interpretation: in the case of a round or oval nodule with smooth outlines, the most common diagnosis is a benign lesion, a large, irregularly shaped nodule often indicates a malignant lesion.
- Here. as a result of mammography
Which means: the mysterious abbreviation here. means tumor.
Interpretation: Radiologists suspecting a breast tumor (in the case of cancer the term ca. is used), write the abbreviation here as a result. indicating to the clinician that the diagnosis should be deepened in the patient.
- Cyst as a result of mammography
Which means: it indicates the presence of a well-delimited tank (containing air or fluid), it is a mild lesion.
Find out about the most common causes of breast cysts
- Glandular fibrous tissue as a result of mammography
Which means: it indicates the predominance of glandular and connective tissue in the breast.
Interpretation: it is a physiological condition and does not raise any oncological concern.
- Glandular adipose tissue as a result of mammography
Which means: it indicates the advantage of glandular and fatty tissue in the weaving of the breast.
Interpretation: as well as glandular-fibrous tissue is a physiological state, especially in elderly women.
- Specular lump as a result of mammography
Which means: an irregularly shaped lesion with numerous protrusions.
Interpretation: most often means invasive breast cancer.
Read more about the types and symptoms of breast cancer
- Architecture disruption as a result of mammography
Which means: indicates a disturbance in the structure of the mammary gland.
Interpretation: Often indicates the presence of cancer.
Find out about the symptoms that indicate breast cancer
- Clear lump with a pouch as a result of mammography
What it means and interpretation: indicates the presence of a lipoma, which is a benign lesion.
Find out what lipomas are
Classification systems used to describe mammography
The classifications used to describe mammography are intended to standardize the descriptions and make it easier for the doctor to make a decision regarding further diagnosis. In Poland, the most popular are the BI-RADS scale and the 5-point “R” scale.
BI-RADS rock distinguishes the following categories:
- BI-RADS 0 – indicates the need for further research due to insufficient data to draw conclusions and make a complete diagnosis.
- BI-RADS 1 – indicates normal examination with the recommendation of further periodic inspection.
- BI-RADS 2 – indicates normal examination with the presence of benign changes, e.g. fibroadenomas or cysts.
- BI-RADS 3 – Indicates the presence of a lesion that is likely to be benign and the risk of malignancy is 2%. A follow-up after 6 months is recommended. In the case of women with an increased risk of breast cancer, a core needle biopsy should be performed and the collected material should be subjected to histopathological examination.
- BI-RADS 4 – indicates the presence of a lesion that requires a core needle biopsy. There are three subcategories with a different risk of malignancy:
– 4a – the risk of malignancy is 2-10%,
– 4b – the risk of malignancy is 10-50%,
– 4c – the risk of malignancy is 50-95%.
- BI-RADS 5 – indicates a lesion highly suspected of being malignant (above 95%), urgent core needle biopsy should be performed.
- BI-RADS 6 – indicates breast cancer (histopathological diagnosis).
Scale R (radiography) in mammography:
- R1 – no irregularities.
- R2 – the presence of benign changes.
- R3 – the presence of changes of an ambiguous nature.
- R4 – suspicion of breast cancer.
- R5 – high probability of breast cancer.
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