In the article, we will consider how mammography of the mammary glands is deciphered.
This is an x-ray. The doctor takes pictures in two projections, which is necessary for a better examination. When the mammography results are ready, the specialist processes them, sometimes comparing them with previous studies. According to them, one can draw a conclusion about the presence or presence of any pathology.
So what can transcribing breast mammography results reveal?
Possible pathologies
This diagnostic study is necessary for the purpose of early detection of pathologies that are benign or malignant. Among them:
- Calcifications. They are an accumulation of calcium s alts in the tissues of the mammary glands. Most often, this neoplasm indicates a developing oncological disease. Ordinary palpation does not reveal calcifications,hence the need for a mammogram.
- Cysts. They are a fairly common type of neoplasm filled with fluid. If a cyst is found in the mammary gland, you should not panic, since such a pathology is not a sign of the development of cancer.
- Fibroadenoma. It is a benign formation, prone to rapid development. Fibroadenomas must be surgically removed.
- Oncology - is a malignant neoplasm characterized by uncontrolled growth. Cancer cells have the ability to invade nearby cells and organs. Cancer should be removed immediately.
After the patient is examined, the specialist receives x-rays of the mammary glands. Based on them, he determines if there are any changes in the tissues.
Important factors to consider
When interpreting the results of mammography and ultrasound, the doctor takes into account the following important factors:
- Presence of thickening in the skin, calcifications.
- Presence of various pathologies.
- Asymmetric (when only one of the mammary glands has seals).
It should be noted that it is impossible to diagnose cancer based solely on the results of a mammogram. To determine the final diagnosis, the doctor recommendsadditional examinations. However, the test results can tell a specialist a lot.
Deciphering breast mammography
Using an x-ray of the mammary glands, the doctor examines the condition of the lymph nodes, ducts, blood vessels, tissue texture. If there are no seals, the structure of the tissues in the chest is uniform, then we can judge the absence of pathological changes.
Ducts and capillaries should be clearly visible on the images. In the presence of violations of the structure of breast tissues, an increase in lymph nodes, the presence of pathology is diagnosed.
With the help of decoding mammography of the mammary glands, it is not difficult for a specialist to determine the foci of neoplasm development, its quality, shape, size.
Categories
In accordance with accepted standards, the results of the study are divided into seven categories:
- Category 0. Required information is missing on the picture, additional research is required. This category includes images during the decoding of which the radiologist had doubts. Often, pictures that were taken earlier are used to assess the real state. As additional checks, they are prescribed: ultrasound examination, mammography in a different projection, enlarged view.
- Category 1. There are no pathologies and seals in the tissues of the mammary glands. In this case, it is concluded that the woman is he althy. Such an indicator is considered to be the norm. This category includes photographswhose mammary glands are symmetrical, there are no lumps, deformations, structural distortions, suspicious calcification in their structure.
- Category 2. There is a benign mass, but there are no oncological symptoms. To describe, the specialist uses obviously benign changes: fibroadenoma, swollen lymph nodes, calcification. Obtaining such a result is guaranteed to indicate the absence of cancer.
- Category 3 in the interpretation of the results of mammography of the mammary glands means that there is a neoplasm that is benign in nature, requiring additional research. The next examination should be carried out after six months. In addition, a woman needs to register with a mammologist. Approximately 98% of the detected formations are benign.
- Category 4. Suspicious lumps were found in the structure of the breast. Most often, the risk of developing cancer is extremely low. However, the woman is advised to undergo a biopsy. There are 3 levels of suspicion for cancer in this category: low (4A), intermediate (4B), moderate (4C).
- Category 5. There are suspicious tumors in the structure of the mammary glands. In this case, the probability of detecting a malignant neoplasm is high. A biopsy is required to establish a definitive diagnosis.
- Category 6. Previously diagnosed oncology is found in the structure of breast tissue. In this casemammography is used to evaluate the therapy, control the growth of a malignant tumor.
If a specialist diagnoses the likelihood of developing cancer, you should not panic. It often happens that the indicators are normal, the interpretation in the results of mammography of the mammary glands is incorrect.
False negatives and false positives
If the outcome of the examination shows the likelihood of the presence of cancer in the breast, the doctor recommends additional testing. Please note that mammography does not always give unambiguous and correct results.
If a specialist has even the slightest suspicion of an oncological disease, he sends the patient for additional research. In the case when the diagnosis of a mammologist is not confirmed, we are talking about a false positive result of mammography. In this case, the woman is considered he althy.
What is the risk of this
It is worth noting that such results negatively affect the physical and mental state of the patient. Most often, a woman, having learned about the likelihood of the presence of a tumor, immediately begins to feel worse. In addition, a false positive result implies further examination and, as a result, financial costs.
What mammography of the mammary glands shows, it is important to find out in advance.
There are situations when picturesreflect the normal state of the mammary glands, and after some time a woman is diagnosed with advanced cancer. In this case, the mammogram results are false negative.
As statistics show, cancer is not detected precisely for this reason in about 20% of patients. As a rule, this situation occurs with young women. The structure of their mammary glands is denser than in older patients.
Factors affecting the result
False-negative breast mammography results can be due to several factors:
- The neoplasm is small.
- The doctor who performed the examination is inexperienced or incompetent.
- In a woman's body there is an increased level of sex hormones.
- A malignant neoplasm grows dynamically.
This result is dangerous because a woman can postpone a visit to a mammologist even if there are obvious symptoms of oncology. Such an approach to one's he alth often leads to death. It is important to remember that it is impossible to judge cancer only by decoding mammography of the mammary glands. If unwanted symptoms are present, the woman should seek medical advice immediately.
Signs of cancer
Symptomatics that occur with breast cancer depends on the stage of development and can be expressed by the occurrence of general weakness, sudden unreasonable fluctuations in weight, changes in the shape of the breast,discharge from the nipple. There may also be a decrease in the size of the areola, deformation of the nipple, its retraction, and an increase in regional lymph nodes.
Conclusion on the condition of the mammary glands
Mammologist after mammography will also have to assess the density of the mammary glands in the patient. In accordance with the generally accepted classification, 4 groups are distinguished:
- The predominance of adipose tissue. In the structure of the mammary gland there is a certain amount of glandular and fibrous tissue. The probability of developing a neoplasm is minimal.
- Scattered patches of fibrous and glandular tissue are present.
- They have different density. Change detection is difficult.
- Breast tissue has a high density. Getting clear results with mammography is difficult. Oncological formations can mix with areas of normal tissue.
We looked at how breast mammography is transcribed.
