Breast ultrasound
Breast ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to examine the breasts.
How the Test is Performed
You will be asked to undress from the waist up. You will be given a gown to wear.
During the test, you will lie on your back on an examining table.
Your health care provider will place a gel on the skin of your breast. A handheld device, called a transducer, is moved over the breast area. You may be asked to raise your arms above your head and turn to the left or right.
The device sends sound waves to the breast tissue. The sound waves help create a picture that can be seen on a computer screen on the ultrasound machine.
The number of people involved in the test will be limited to protect your privacy.
How to Prepare for the Test
You may want to wear a two-piece outfit, so you do not have to completely undress.
A mammogram may be needed either before or after the exam. Do not use any lotion or powder on your breasts on the day of the exam. Do not use deodorant under your arms. Remove any jewelry from your neck and chest area.
How the Test will Feel
This test usually does not cause any discomfort, although the gel may feel cool.
Why the Test is Performed
Breast ultrasound is usually ordered when more information is needed after other tests are done or as a stand-alone test. These tests may include mammogram or breast MRI.
Mammogram
A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breasts. It is used to evaluate some breast symptoms and to find breast cancer in women with no symptoms (cal...
Breast MRI
A breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the breast and sur...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleYour provider may order this test if you have:
- A breast lump found during a breast exam
Breast lump
A breast lump is swelling, growth, or mass in the breast. Breast lumps in both men and women raise concern for breast cancer, even though most lumps...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - An abnormal mammogram
- Clear or bloody nipple discharge
Nipple discharge
Nipple discharge is any fluid that comes out of the nipple area in your breast.
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A breast ultrasound can:
- Help tell the difference between a solid mass or a cyst
Cyst
A cyst is a closed pocket or pouch of tissue. It can be filled with air, fluid, pus, or other material.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Help look for a growth if you have clear or bloody fluid coming from your nipple
- Guide a needle during a breast biopsy
Breast biopsy
A breast biopsy is the removal of breast tissue to examine it for signs of breast cancer or other disorders. There are several types of breast biopsi...
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Normal Results
A normal result means the breast tissue appears normal.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Ultrasound can help show noncancerous growths such as:
- Cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs
- Fibroadenomas, which are noncancerous solid growths
Fibroadenomas
Fibroadenoma of the breast is a benign tumor. Benign tumor means it is not a cancer.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Lipomas, which are noncancerous fatty lumps that can occur anywhere in the body, including the breasts
Breast cancers can also be seen with ultrasound.
Breast cancers
Breast cancer is cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast. There are two main types of breast cancer:Ductal carcinoma starts in the tubes (du...
Follow-up tests to determine whether treatment may be needed include:
- Open (surgical or excisional) breast biopsy
- Stereotactic breast biopsy (needle biopsy performed using a machine like a mammogram)
Stereotactic breast biopsy
A breast biopsy is the removal of breast tissue to examine it for signs of breast cancer or other disorders. There are several types of breast biops...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy (needle biopsy performed using ultrasound)
Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy
A breast biopsy is the removal of breast tissue to examine it for signs of breast cancer or other disorders. There are several types of breast biopsi...
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Risks
There are no risks associated with breast ultrasound. There is no radiation exposure.
American Cancer Society website. American Cancer Society recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer. www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/american-cancer-society-recommendations-for-the-early-detection-of-breast-cancer.html. Updated December 19, 2023. Accessed May 21, 2024.
James JJ, Evans AJ. The breast. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 63.
National Cancer Institute website. Breast cancer screening (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/breast/hp/breast-screening-pdq. Updated March 28, 2024. Accessed May 21, 2024.
Phillips J. The breast. In: Rumack CM, Levine D, eds. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 19.
US Preventive Services Task Force; Nicholson WK, Silverstein M, Wong JB, Barry MJ, Chelmow D, Coker TR, Davis EM, Jaén CR, Krousel-Wood M, Lee S, Li L, Mangione CM, Rao G, Ruiz JM, Stevermer JJ, Tsevat J, Underwood SM, Wiehe S. Screening for breast cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2024 Apr 30. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38687503. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38687503/.
