Mammography, ultrasound and biopsy
The Royal Marsden breast care unit video transcript
A mammogram or an x-ray is the most common and useful test that will be done in an assessment unit. Two views are taken: the cranio-caudal which is top to bottom and a medio-lateral oblique which is a side to side view. A mammogram can show a normal result, variations of normal or a suspicious result which may turn out to be cancer.
The unit's ultrasound equipment is very useful for distinguishing between solid lumps and cysts which are fluid-filled lumps. It can also be helpful to clarify the true nature of some abnormalities that show up on mammograms.
The role of this unit's cytology laboratory is to provide a same-day analysis of breast cells so that a diagnosis can be given the same day that a patient attends her appointment. There are two ways that samples can be taken. Firstly, a fine needle can be introduced into the lump and cells are obtained by drawing back on a syringe. These cells can then be fixed onto a slide which can be looked in the laboratory. This procedure does not need a local anaesthetic and in this unit the results can be available on the same day.
A second type of sample uses a larger needle to take a small fragment of tissue from the lump. This procedure does require a local anaesthetic and the results take about a week to come back.
Cytology results are classified as benign, slightly suspicious, highly suspicious but not conclusive, and malignant which is cancer.
The patient is informed of the results of her assessment by the consultant surgeon and a nurse specialist is on hand for extra information and support.
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