How is breast cancer diagnosed and staged?
When a lump is found, you might need several mammogram views or breast ultrasound. The ultrasound is preferable for examining cystic areas and for young women with dense breasts. Depending on the results, you may need a biopsy, a procedure where tissue is taken from your breast and examined under a microscope. It is the best way of knowing if you have breast cancer or benign breast disease. A needle biopsy will take small samples; larger samples can be gathered with minor outpatient surgery. A pathologist will go through your samples and provide a detailed report.
Breast cancer is “staged” definitely after surgery, taking note of the spread of the cancer to adjacent or distant body organs and the involvement of the lymph nodes. These stages help the doctor determine what types of treatment are most appropriate for the patient.
