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Common Breast Changes
    Posted: 11/09/2005
Possible Mammogram Results and Follow-Up Care

Conditions Features What Your Doctor May Recommend
Cysts
  • Fluid-filled lumps
  • Usually not cancer
  • Occur most often in women ages 35-50
  • Often in both breasts
  • Some too small to be felt
  • Doctors often watch cysts over time or use fine-needle
  • aspiration to remove the fluid from the cyst
  • Ultrasound may be used to see whether a lump is solid or filled with fluid
Fibroadenoma
  • Hard, round, benign growth
  • Feels like rubber; moves around easily
  • Usually painless
  • Often found by the woman herself
  • Appears on mammogram as smooth, round lumps with clearly defined edges
  • Can get bigger when a woman is pregnant or nursing
  • Sometimes diagnosed with fine-needle aspiration
  • If the fibroadenoma does not appear normal, the doctor may suggest taking it out to make sure it is benign
Macrocalcifications
  • Appear on a mammogram as large calcium deposits
  • Often caused by aging
  • Usually not cancer
  • If they are grouped together in a certain way, they may be a sign of cancer
  • Another mammogram to have a closer look at the area
  • A biopsy may be used for diagnosis
Lump (or "mass")
  • May be round and smooth
  • May be caused by normal hormone changes
  • Irregular borders may be a sign of cancer
  • A mammogram and/or ultrasound may be used to see whether a lump is solid or filled with fluid
  • A biopsy may be used for diagnosis
Microcalcifications
  • Appear on a mammogram as tiny specks of calcium that might be in an area of rapidly dividing cells
  • If they are grouped together in a certain way, they may be a sign of cancer
  • Another mammogram to have a closer look at the area
  • A biopsy may be used for diagnosis