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Image on mammo but not ultrasound

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
New Jersey City, NJ

I found a lump on my left breast about two weeks ago.
Went for mammo and ultrasound this Thursday.
Found a 2cm lump which needs biopsy
Also found an area on same breast, which they could see on mammo but not ultrasound??
Rated me a birad 5.
Lymph nodes clear so far
I have an appointment with a breast doctor on Tuesday.
I am a mess.

April 18
 · 
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A MyBCTeam Member

Hi Nancy. It is overwhelming having scans and tests to figure out if you have cancer or not and it all can happen so fast while you're still trying to wrap your head around what's going on with your body. All of the different types of imaging such as mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs, xrays, CT scans, PET scans, etc. all give a different type of view of the area being scanned, kind of like when editing pictures and using different types of filters. The first time I had breast cancer the mammogram and ultrasound were done on the same day and both showed the same areas having lumps. The doctor told me that day that I did have cancer and the biopsies were scheduled for a few days later and confirmed the diagnosis. Prior to my double mastectomy they did an MRI that found another cancerous spot. It sounds like things are moving along pretty quickly which is good. The biopsy should give a better idea of what is happening and give guidance to the doctors on the best way to proceed with any treatments you might need. Good luck to you ❤️

April 18
MyBCTeam

What does it mean when something shows on a mammogram but not on an ultrasound?

It's actually not uncommon for mammograms and ultrasounds to show different things. Sometimes an area visible on a mammogram doesn't appear on ultrasound because the two tests use different technologies to image breast tissue. Mammograms use Show Full Answer

What does it mean when something shows on a mammogram but not on an ultrasound?

It's actually not uncommon for mammograms and ultrasounds to show different things. Sometimes an area visible on a mammogram doesn't appear on ultrasound because the two tests use different technologies to image breast tissue. Mammograms use X-rays and can detect certain changes like calcifications or tissue density differences that ultrasound might miss.

Ultrasound uses sound waves and is particularly good at distinguishing between solid masses and fluid-filled cysts, and it works well with dense breast tissue. However, it may not pick up everything a mammogram can see.

This is why doctors often use both tests together - they complement each other and provide a more complete picture. The fact that one area shows on mammogram but not ultrasound doesn't automatically mean anything specific about whether it's cancerous or benign. Your BI-RADS 5 rating means your doctors are taking this seriously and moving quickly, which is exactly what should happen. The biopsy will provide definitive answers about what's going on with the 2cm lump. It's encouraging that your lymph nodes appear clear so far.

The appointment with the breast specialist on Tuesday is an important next step. They'll review all your imaging, explain what they're seeing, and discuss the biopsy procedure and timeline.

It's completely understandable to feel like a mess right now - waiting for answers is incredibly difficult. Try to take things one step at a time, and remember that even with concerning findings, many treatment options exist, and early detection makes a significant difference.

April 18

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