What does breast mammography show and on what day of the cycle does it: the price where to make

Mammography is a highly effective diagnostic method for detecting pathologies of female mammary glands. This screening X-ray study, which allows early detection of various pathologies of the mammary glands, as well as tumor formations.

This diagnosis is even recommended to pass as an annual prophylaxis, which in practice led to a reduction in lethal cases of breast cancer by 35% in patients under 50 years of age.

Indications for the

study As a clinical diagnosis, mammography is indicated in women after 40, which is associated with an increased risk of cancer on the background of age-related changes in breast tissue in patients of this age.

The procedure can be carried out on unconditional indications or with preventive purposes. According to the indications mammogram appoint:

1. With painful sensations in the chest of an incomprehensible etiology;
2. With the appearance of palpable seals and tubercles, detected by a doctor or during self-examination;
3. Noticeable changes in the shape of the mammary gland, the difference between the right and left breast;
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4. With the appearance of incomprehensible nipple excretions not associated with lactation, an urgent extensive examination with mammography is required;
5. If, with age-related hormonal changes, breast engorgement is observed;
6. Redness on the nipples or changes in their shape;
7. Preoperative study or to evaluate the effectiveness of an already performed operative or conservative treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy;
8. For monitoring during hormonal treatment.

For any of the indications, the purpose of the study is under the care of the treating specialist, even if the procedure is performed for preventive purposes. Such a measure in the early detection of malignant tumors is of paramount importance.

A video shows how a mammogram of mammary glands is made:

For a screening among the female half of the population, there is a special schedule for the mammography:

• The first diagnosis is at 40 years of age;
• In the 40-50-year period, the study is conducted at a frequency of 1 time in 2 years, if the patient has a genetic predisposition to a dairy oncology, the mammography is prescribed annually;
• Upon reaching the age of 50, mammography should be performed annually.

Mammography is recommended especially for patients suffering from infertility or obesity, pathologies of the pancreas and thyroid gland, mastopathy, mastitis or neoplastic lesions of the genital organs, etc.

Contraindications

Actually the mammography procedure is an x-ray study suggesting the presence of minor radiation exposure, thereforeand her contra-indications are similar to X-rays:

1. Lactation;
2. Pregnancy;
3. Breast skin lesions on the chest;
4. Nipple Damage;
5. Implants in the chest;
6. Age under 35( relative contraindication);
7. Within six months after the termination of pregnancy( the doctor decides).

What does the mammography show?

Mammography diagnostics allows to detect formations and pathological processes of benign or malignant character at the initial stages of formation.

The study shows the changes in the structure of the mammary gland, their prevalence, specific location, parameters, etc.

Mammography shows the presence of:

• Calcinates. Usually, small accumulations of calcium salts in dairy fermented tissues indicate the beginning of cancerous processes. Large salt formations, as a rule, have nothing to do with oncology. Although the presence of lactoseous calcareous can be associated with the available oncoprocess;
• Fibroaden. Characteristic for young patients, they are exceptionally benign, but tend to grow uncontrollably;
• Cyst. These cavity, filled with the contents of the formation, in the milk-iron structures are often found. Only now with the help of mammography, it is not always possible to distinguish cancer from the cyst of the breast, so an additional examination is needed.

If a mammogram has already been performed and the pictures have been preserved, it is necessary to provide them to the doctor.

Types of

There are several variations of mammography: digital, film( X-ray), electrical impedance, magnetic resonance, etc.

Photo of the digital mammography image

1. Traditional x-ray diagnostics is the oldest technique using film technology. A similar study is a classic in breast-and-fat diagnosis, since it has been used since the last century. The technique is almost not used in modern medical institutions, although it is still used in regional hospitals. The procedure compared with other methods of mammography is not a priority, because it has the highest percentage of errors in the results.
2. Digital mammography refers to more modern diagnostic methods, which have a lot of undeniable advantages. For example, the dosage of irradiation obtained by digital research is much lower than for film( three times).The quality of the received images is much higher, which is much easier to analyze, which simplifies the reliability of the diagnosis, and also eliminates the need for a re-examination. In addition, digital mammography can be performed with the involvement of computer technology to detect structural changes in dairy tissues.
3. Magnetic resonance mammography is performed without X-ray irradiation. This technique is very accurate and highly informative, but it also has a disadvantage - high cost. If necessary, to obtain a more complete clinical picture, MRI-mammography is performed using contrast.
4. Electro-impedance mammography diagnostics is the newest method for studying ferrous structures, based on differences in current conductivity with pathologically altered and healthy tissues. Electroconductivity of unhealthy areas significantly differs from normal indices, therefore, in the three-dimensional projection of the results of the study, tumor formation will be clearly seen. Such a method is more informative, does not use x-rays, has no contraindications and is bound to a cycle, is able to detect breast cancer even in its embryonic stage.

Preparation and progress of the

study The day when a mammogram is prescribed, you should not use cosmetic products for the skin of the chest, deodorants and perfumes. The study is conducted on an outpatient basis.

The subject is undressed to the waist and puts the breast on a specialized platform. Special holders compress the chest, which is necessary for a clearer visualization. Then the woman must be frozen so that the device takes a picture. Then usually a woman is asked to change position and then freeze again to get a picture in another projection.

Each chest during the diagnosis is examined separately, and the whole procedure takes no more than half an hour.

Breast compression is an important necessity that can cause some discomfort in the patient. If necessary, the specialist makes several sighting shots for each projection.

And some modern tomographs can take biomaterial from breast-fat tissues for further histological examination.

Is it harmful to do the procedure?

Given that a mammogram involves the patient receiving a dose of radiation, suggests the conclusion about the harm of this study.

In the process of such a diagnosis, a woman is exposed to radiation at a dosage of 0.1-0.2 rad. Such volume of radiation by doctors is considered insignificant and safe, it is even smaller than with traditional fluorography. However, the probability of developing tumors after such radiation still remains.

But it is not necessary to give up research because of the fear of a possible complication, because modern digital mammographs practically exclude possible risks of oncology. In addition, there are methods of mammography that do not use X-rays in the course of diagnosis, for example, electrical impedance mammography, which is prescribed even to pregnant women.

Mammography for today is the best way to detect breast cancer, although it unfortunately does not detect any oncology and in some cases can give a false positive result.

What day of the cycle to do the examination?

The choice of the day for the period for the mammography is of no small importance.

Experts are inclined to believe that the best time for breast mammography is the 5-12 day cycle, because exactly on these days the results are maximally informative.

In addition, during this period of time the breast of a woman is in a relatively calm state, they are painless and not enlarged.

In addition, conducting mammography during this period will relieve the patient of excessive discomfort associated with breast tenderness, caused by hormonal changes in different phases of the cycle, especially in its middle.

Decoding of the results of

There is a generally accepted standard for decoding mammography results:

• Category 0 is an incomplete estimate when the results for a number of reasons are not indicative and insufficient to determine the diagnosis;
• Category 1 - negative when the woman is completely healthy and does not have any abnormalities in the breast tissue;
• Category 2 - benign formation, refers to negative results, because cancer, like other malignant processes, is not detected;
• Category 3 - a benign formation has been identified requiring additional studies. In fact, the detected tumor is probably benign, but nevertheless repeated mammography is necessary after 6 months;
• Category 4 is a suspicious tumor, therefore a biopsy is required to determine the exact nature of the formation. The likelihood of cancer is small, and the predictions are positive;
• Category 5 - a suspected tumor with a high likelihood of cancer has been identified, so biopsy is also required;
• Category 6 - Biopsy-confirmed breast cancer.

When decoding a mammogram, a specialist takes into account not only the data in the picture, but also the patient's history, previously present pathological manifestations. In the process of deciphering, the condition of glandular structures, ducts and vessels, as well as lymph nodes, is carefully analyzed.

Normally there are no seals or blackouts on the pictures, the fabrics look even. Clearly visible ducts and vessels, intertwined in the whole network, as well as not enlarged lymph nodes.

If there is any pathological process, then:

• There is an increase in lymph nodes of regional importance;
• The healthy and uniform structure of the glandular tissues of the breast is disrupted;
• One or more foci of the pathological process are examined;
• In case of revealing fibroadenomatous and cystic formations, oval or round, clearly defined areas are clearly visible on the picture;
• If the patient has cancer, then in the picture it looks like a light, blurry spot with uneven borders.

In any case, an experienced mammologist should be involved in the interpretation and interpretation of the results.

What is different and what is better mammogram or ultrasound of the mammary glands?

Ultrasound and mammographic diagnosis of the breast have many differences, related to both advantages and disadvantages of diagnosis.

• ultrasound is performed by the principle of ultrasound exposure to tissue, and mammography is performed by X-ray.
• Ultrasound can be performed at any age, and mammography can be performed only after 40.
• In terms of information, mammography has higher rates of 90-95% of the detectability of the pathological process. False positive results with this diagnosis are in 26% of cases, while ultrasound yields similar results in 66%.

Therefore, in the appointment of diagnostic breast studies, experts take into account a number of factors.

FAQ

• How often do mammograms after 40 years?

Patients after 40 mammography exams are advised to go every two years, and after 50 - every year. Although in some cases, for example, when a woman is at risk of developing breast cancer, the study is conducted annually, and after 50 - twice a year.

• How many years have a mammogram been made?

The first mammography is usually performed at 40 years. A patient of a younger age to conduct such a diagnosis is not recommended because of exposure.

• How many times a year can I do a mammogram?

Mammography in the presence of indications, for example, to monitor the treatment or behavior of education, can be done no more than once every six months.

• Can mammography be wrong?

According to statistics, false positive results for mammography are found, therefore it can not be said that the method provides a 100% diagnostic result. In addition, about 15% of the formations the mammogram may miss and miss.

• Can I do mammograms during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a definitive contra-indication for breast mammography.

Reviews

Ekaterina, 46 years old:

Found a small dense cone in her chest, signed up for a mammalogy, sent for mammograms. It does not hurt at all, although it's a little uncomfortable when the chest is clamped. But in general, it is quite an ordinary procedure. The seal was not dangerous, so I'm happy with the results of the study.

Svetlana, 41 year:

For the first time, a mammogram was prescribed. After reading reviews that the procedure is very harmful, I decided to choose the safest option - electrical impedance mammography. She applied to a private multidisciplinary clinic, where she was periodically observed with other doctors. No problems, everything is fast and painless, the main thing is that this method of mammography does not give an irradiation. Yes, it will be a little expensive and not in every hospital there, but it's safe. I recommend.

Where can I make a survey?

In St. Petersburg, you can go through a mammogram in various medical institutions. These are the Admiralty Shipyards, the CM-Clinic, Energo, Baltmed, MEED, the Oncology Research Institute. Petrova N.N.etc.

In Moscow, the mammography procedure is available in such institutions as the CM Clinic, the Clinic, the Clinic of Health, the Kutuzovsky LDC, the Petrovsky Gate, the Niarmedik, etc.

The cost of the

In general, the mammogram refers to available diagnostic techniques, although some species of this typeDiagnosis is possible only in private clinics or metropolitan medical centers.

Traditional mammography will cost about 800-3,400 rubles in Moscow, and 850-3,000 rubles in St. Petersburg.

A mammogram is never assigned simply. If the doctor insists on diagnosis, then there is a possibility of pathology. Therefore, do not neglect the doctor's recommendations.

Radiation exposure during the study is minimal, and the likelihood of cancer on the background of irradiation is 1 to 200,000. Timely detection of breast pathology, which is provided by means of mammography, will help to start treatment in time, and save the patient's life in the future.

Video about how, when and where to take a mammogram: