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- • Ultrasound evaluation (breast ultrasonography) may be used to diagnose cysts. The accuracy of
- ultrasonography in determining whether a mass is cystic (containing fluid) or solid approaches 100 percent.
- This may eliminate the need for more complex procedures. Some physicians prefer to withdraw fluid from all
- cysts with a simple needle and syringe (aspiration). If clear fluid is removed and the mass completely
- disappears, no further treatment or evaluation is needed.
- • Tissue should be removed by biopsy for microscopic examination if a mass is still present after fluid is
- removed, if blood is removed, if abnormal cells are found in the fluid, if no fluid can be aspirated or if the mass
- returns two weeks later ( see BIOPSY DIAGRAM )
- • Chest x-rays will assess lungs, ribs and the spine for metastases. Specialized x-rays of other areas may be done
- if there are specific bodily complaints.
- • Bone scan will rule out bone metastases. This is often not necessary with small cancers.
- • An abdominal CT scan may be done to evaluate the liver, especially if the serum alkaline phosphatase (a bone
- and liver enzyme) is elevated.
-
- Biopsy
- • Almost all biopsies of suspicious breast masses used to be open surgical biopsies, but fine needle aspiration
- (FNA) biopsy is being used more often. This simple office procedure can usually give a definitive answer
- about the possibility of cancer, but interpretation by a specially trained cytologist or pathologist is necessary
