Body Part - Breast
SIMPLE CYST
A pocket of fluid without any solid components or debris. This is not cancerous and is definitively diagnosed with an ultrasound.
SIX MONTH OR SHORT INTERVAL FOLLOW-UP
This is recommended when the abnormal finding on the mammogram or ultrasound has a low chance of being a cancer. Technically, the chance of cancer is less than 2%. If the patient is too worried to wait for the 6 month follow-up, she can request a biopsy.
SKIN CALCIFICATIONS
These have typical, recognizable shapes. They may look like tiny white donuts on a mammogram. They are not cancerous.
SKIN LESION
An abnormality that is associated with the skin. Sometimes, it is readily visible such as a mole or pustule (“zit”). Sometimes, it is within the skin or just under the skin and you can’t see it. 2 examples of skin lesions are melanomas and sebaceous cysts.
SNOWSTORM APPEARANCE
An ultrasound finding that is seen with a silicone breast implant rupture. More specifically, this indicates an extracapsular breast implant rupture.
SPICULATED
Adjective. This is used to describe the margins of a breast mass. It means that the margins pointy, like a bur (spiky seed pod). This is a descriptor used for a suspicious appearing mass.
SPOT COMPRESSION VIEW
This is a mammogram view/technique used to see if an asymmetry or focal asymmetry is a real mass. Sometimes, an asymmetry or focal asymmetry will turn out to be a “fake-out” and the mammogram will be cleared to be cancer-free.
SPOT MAGNIFICATION VIEW
This is a mammogram view/technique focused on an area of concern, especially for calcifications. After this test, the radiologist will determine if the mammogram can be cleared to be cancer-free or go on to additional views or recommend a biopsy.
STEPLADDER SIGN
An ultrasound finding that is seen with a breast implant rupture. More specifically, this indicates an intracapsular breast implant rupture.
STEREOTACTIC BIOPSY
This is a biopsy technique of the breast using x-rays (as opposed to ultrasound). This technique is usually used to sample microcalcifications. The patient lies prone (belly down) on a specialized table with a hole at the breast level. The breast “hangs” through the hole and is put into compression like a regular mammogram. X-ray pictures of the breast are taken and a computer calculates the position of the abnormality within the breast. This technique is highly accurate. This procedure is performed with local anesthesia and,for most patients, results in little pain.
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