Question 1

can ultrasounds miss breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Ultrasounds and mammograms, though very helpful, are not perfect and on rare occasions can miss breast cancers.

Question 2

can breast cancer be detected by ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes yes: But diagnostic tests are never 100%.  False negatives and false positives occur with some frequency.  This is also true with mammogram and MRI.  Breast ultrasound is nowhere near 100% for cancer diagnosis.  Definitive diagnosis is always tissue biopsy.

Question 3

how accurate is an ultrasound for breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Very: When ultrasounds are used to evaluate a palpable lump or a mammographic abnormality, a directed ultrasound can very accurately differentiate a benign tumor from a malignant one.  Nevertheless, it is best to not rely exclusively on an ultrasound and to proceed to tissue diagnosis via biopsy, especially for women over age 40.

Question 4

what is the accuracy of breast cancer ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

Breast Cancer  test: Radiology specialist will review your ultrasound and give us the ideal report.  If there is questionable abnormality then MRI scan will need to be done to evaluate the breast abnormality. 
If ultrasound or MRI scan fined abnormal results then a biopsy of the abnormal part of the breast from radiologist or surgical oncologist will have to be done to find out if there is a true breast cancer.

Question 5

will an ultrasound be able to detect breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

It can in some cases: Depending upon the tissue density of a breast cancer relative to the density of the surrounding normal breast tissue, many breast cancers can be detected by ultrasound. There are some cancers that are detected by us when a mammogram is normal and vice versa.  Of course, a cancer detected by us needs to have a tissue diagnosis, usually by an us guided core needle biopsy.

Question 6

could breast cancer be found through only an ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Occasionally something will show up on ultrasound and not be visible on mammography. The reverse can also be true, and you also cannot assume a palpable lump is benign if it does not appear on either.

Question 7

cheaper way to diagnose breast cancer other than ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

Density,age,fam hx: No and ultrasound alone can't detect all breast cancer.
Under 30yo w no fam hx, ultrasound is a good first test. Over 40yo with dense breasts (40% of women) than a 3d tomosynthesis mammogram or 2d mammogram with breast ultrasound. Over 40, not dense, than 2d mammogram. If you have fam hx of breast cancer then you should speak with your doctor about yr risk and possible MRI.

Question 8

is it possible to have breast cancer if it doesn't show up on an ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Ultrasound is only one means of evaluation of the breast. Physical examination and mammogram can be more accurate in some settings. Breast MRI is used sometimes. Breast biopsy of a concerning finding may be the only way to confirm that a breast condition is benign or not.

Question 9

which test is more accurate in detecting breast cancer recurrence: a pet or an ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

Depends: This depends on if your are looking for local recurrence in the breast (ultrasound can help) or distant recurrence (in other organs outside the breast)-pet is better.
They are both great tests.  If you have concerns, i recommend contacting your oncology team and consider getting a second opinion.

Question 10

was wondering what the smallest size invasive breast cancer is that can be detected by ultrasound? would a 8 mm x 2 mm lesion be picked up?

Accepted Answer

Breast ultrasound: The visibility or conspicuity of a lesion on ultrasound depends on the ultrasound characteristics of the lesion and the ultrasound characteristics of the "normal" breast tissue.  Sometimes larger cancers may be difficult or impossible to detect, and smaller cancers easy to detect.  That said, an 8mm cancer is potentially detectable on US.  We have found cancers as small as 2mm on occasion.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

What does breast cancer look like on ultrasound

A member asked:

Can ultrasounds miss breast cancer?

A member asked:

Can breast cancer be detected by ultrasound?

A member asked:

How accurate is an ultrasound for breast cancer?

A member asked:

What is the accuracy of breast cancer ultrasound?

A member asked:

Will an ultrasound be able to detect breast cancer?

A member asked:

Could breast cancer be found through only an ultrasound?

A member asked:

Cheaper way to diagnose breast cancer other than ultrasound?

A member asked:

Is it possible to have breast cancer if it doesn't show up on an ultrasound?

A member asked:

Which test is more accurate in detecting breast cancer recurrence: a pet or an ultrasound?

A member asked:

Was wondering what the smallest size invasive breast cancer is that can be detected by ultrasound? would a 8 mm x 2 mm lesion be picked up?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?