Digital Mammography
USMD is the first hospital in Arlington to provide digital mammography for the early detection of breast cancer. For both routine screening and diagnostic evaluations, our all-digital systems produce high-quality images while maximizing patient comfort.

Digital Screening Mammography
Our expert technologists perform routine screening mammography for first-time mammogram patients and those who have no history of breast abnormality.

Digital Diagnostic Mammography
We promptly schedule diagnostic evaluations on all patients with a potential breast abnormality. Our breast imaging radiologist personally discusses her findings and recommendations with the patient at the time of the exam. If a biopsy is needed, it is promptly scheduled.

Breast Ultrasound
Breast Ultrasound is used to determine whether a lump in the breast is cystic (fluid-filled) or a solid lump. Ultrasound is also helpful for women with very dense breasts.

Ductogram/Galactogram
A ductogram (sometimes called a galactogram) is a procedure that is often helpful in determining the cause of an abnormal nipple discharge. A very fine catheter or plastic tube is inserted into one of the ducts through the nipple and a substance is injected that will show up on an x-ray. The x-ray shows the shape of the duct and indicates whether there is a mass inside. If there is discharge, the fluid can be examined under a microscope to see if cancer cells are present.

Biopsy Procedures

If your healthcare provider discovers a suspicious area, calcification or lump, a biopsy may be used to analyze the condition.

Surgical Biopsy
Sometimes a lump or suspicious area has to be removed surgically and examined under a microscope to determine if cancer is present. Usually this can be done on an outpatient basis, with either local or general anesthesia.

Stereotactic Biopsy
A stereotactic biopsy is less painful, less invasive way to obtain the tissue sample needed for diagnosis. A stereotactic biopsy uses computer technology to locate and obtain a small sample of the questionable area in the breast without an incision. A special needle is used to acquire the sample tissue. With this procedure it is possible to resume normal activity immediately following with only a small adhesive strip to cover the needle insertion site and there is no significant scarring of the breast.

Treatment Options

The majority of women with breast cancer will undergo surgery as part of their cancer treatment. Breast cancer treatment depends on a variety of factors including the size and location of the tumor, the stage of the cancer, and results of laboratory tests

Lumpectomy
With a lumpectomy, your surgeon removes only the cancerous area and some of the surrounding breast tissue. Most women who have lumpectomies will also have a course of radiation therapy after their surgery.

Mastectomy
Depending on the type of cancer you have, the standard treatment may be a mastectomy. However, today's surgeons have less radical, more cosmetically acceptable options for mastectomy than in years past.

• Simple or Total Mastectomy - The entire breast is removed, but the surgeon does not take out any lymph nodes in the underarm area or any muscles under the breast.
• Modified Radical Mastectomy - The entire breast is removed along with some underarm lymph nodes.
• Radical Mastectomy - The entire breast is removed along with all the underarm lymph nodes and chest wall muscles under the breast. Although this once was the common treatment for all breast cancers, the radical mastectomy today is usually only performed when cancer has spread to the chest muscles.

Reconstruction

Most women who have had a mastectomy are candidates for breast reconstruction, where a plastic surgeon rebuilds the breast shape as well as the nipple and areola, if desired.

• Implant Procedures - Generally you have the option of either a saline-filled implant or silicone gel-filled implant. There are other types of implants filled with different materials, but these are available only in clinical trials.
• Tissue Expansion - A balloon-like device is used to create a space in which a breast implant is placed to recreate breast volume.
• Flap Reconstruction - The plastic surgeon may use tissue from elsewhere on your body, such as the abdomen or back, to reconstruct the breast shape.
• Nipple and Areola Reconstruction - This is an optional, separate procedure that is done after the reconstructed breast has had time to heal. The tissue to create the nipple can be taken from the reconstructed breast or elsewhere on the body, and tattooing recreates the areola, or dark skin around the nipple.