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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Does Breast Ultrasound Scans Differentiate Between Tumors And Benign Cysts?

I had an abnormal mammogram showing a mass in the left breast and 3 separate masses in the right breast I am having an ultrasound of the breasts in the morning and I am just wondering how it will differentiate between a tumor and a benign cyst or fibroadenoma?
Fri, 17 Jun 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Ultrasound is useful in younger women or those with a fibrous breasts to help distinguish lesions seen.

A cyst is a sac which can collect fluid and would appear differently as compared to a solid lesion such as a tumor or fibroadenoma.
Cysts are usually well defined structures with a thin wall when seen on ultrasound.

The fibroadenoma will appear as a well defined lesion which is homogenous (all of it appears similar).

Cancer lesions will have ill defined borders and likely a lot of areas of calcification (deposits of calcium in the mass).

I hope this helps

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How Does Breast Ultrasound Scans Differentiate Between Tumors And Benign Cysts?

HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Ultrasound is useful in younger women or those with a fibrous breasts to help distinguish lesions seen. A cyst is a sac which can collect fluid and would appear differently as compared to a solid lesion such as a tumor or fibroadenoma. Cysts are usually well defined structures with a thin wall when seen on ultrasound. The fibroadenoma will appear as a well defined lesion which is homogenous (all of it appears similar). Cancer lesions will have ill defined borders and likely a lot of areas of calcification (deposits of calcium in the mass). I hope this helps