Breast Cancer Diagnostics

Every day at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Midwestern Regional Medical Center, we use cutting-edge diagnostic technology and tools to detect and pinpoint our breast cancer patients’ disease, determine which treatments might be most successful for each individual, and actively monitor the progress of their treatment.

Below are some of the diagnostic imaging and laboratory tools we employ to help us provide the most targeted treatment possible to breast cancer patients.

Breast Imaging

Full Field Digital Mammography

Our state-of-the-art Breast Imaging Suite includes some of the most advanced and innovative technology and tools available to detect breast cancer, including Selenia™. This system for full field digital mammography allows us to quickly acquire exceptionally sharp, digital images of your breast. More so, it lets us obtain these images while exposing you to less radiation and discomfort than you’d experience with traditional mammography. Once the digital images are acquired and transmitted to a high-tech, digital mammography workstation, our radiologists analyze and interpret the images to determine the precise location and extent of the disease.

Breast Ultrasound

Your CTCA doctors may want you to undergo a breast ultrasound after your mammogram to take an even closer look at your breast. In particular, our radiologists use this on patients who have dense breasts to detect the slightest abnormalities.

Breast ultrasound helps us to determine whether a lump is a cyst (sac containing fluid) or a solid mass. It can also be used to precisely locate the position of a known tumor in order to guide the physician during a biopsy or aspiration procedure. Ultrasound helps confirm correct needle placement.

Ultrasound testing works by transmitting high-frequency sound waves, inaudible to the human ear, through your breast. The sound waves bounce off surfaces in your breast (tissue, air, fluid) and these "echoes" are recorded and transformed into video or photographic images.

Breast MRI

Another breast imaging tool we may use is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce exceptionally detailed images. MRI excels at imaging soft tissue structures, including breasts. The MRI is more likely to pick up tumors that may be missed with a mammogram. While this diagnostic process takes longer, you are able to lie down and the scan is more comfortable than a mammogram.

Laboratory Tests for Breast Cancer

Oncotype DX^®

Oncotype DX^® is a diagnostic test that quantifies the likelihood of disease recurrence in women with early stage breast cancer. It also helps us to assess whether your chemotherapy regime is likely to be effective. With this information, you and your CTCA doctors can make more informed decisions about your breast cancer treatment.

For more information on the sophisticated technology we use at CTCA at Midwestern Regional Medical Center to diagnose breast cancer and help us determine your treatment options, call us at 1-800-615-3055. Or, click to chat with one of our helpful Oncology Information Specialists.