Mammography is a kind of imaging technique in which a low-dose of x-rays is used to examine the breast. A mammogram test is useful for diagnosis of the cysts, lumps or tumors in women.
Due to modern medical techniques, there is an enhancement in the mammography. So in pathology to diagnose the diseases of the breast, digital mammography and computer-aided detection is carried out firstly by the pathologists.
The digital mammography involves the replacement of the x-ray film by the solid-state detectors, which is used to convert the x-rays into the electric signals. As far as the pathological analysis of the digital mammography is concerned, it is used to generate the images of the breast, which can be seen on the computer screen or printed film which is similar to the traditional mammograms.
Therefore, such digital mammography is a potential alternative to the conventional film-screen technique. In second type of the mammography, the pathologist uses the computer-aided detection, which uses the digital mammographic image. Then, abnormal areas of density, mass or calcification may be searched by the computer software, which may indicate the presence of the cancer.
All these areas are highlighted by the CAD system on the image, which may alert the radiologist for further pathological analysis. Pathologically, mammograms are used as a screening tool to identify the breast cancer in the women and it is used as a diagnosis technique for breast diseases in women suffering from pain caused due to lumps or abnormal discharge through nipples.
During pathological analysis, mammography is carried out on an outpatient basis. In this technique, a qualified radiologist positions the breast on the mammography unit. The breast is positioned on a special platform and it is compressed with the help of a paddle, which is made up of clear Plexiglas or plastic. The pathologist makes your breast gradually compress to lessen the x-ray scattering to raise the sharpness of the breast picture.
The patient is suggested to keep from breathing for seconds while the x-ray picture is taken. It lessens the possibility of a blurred image. When test is completed, the technologist decides whether the images are of high enough quality for reading of the radiologist. This test is concluded in 30 minutes.
Mammaplasty helps to improve physician’s ability to detect small tumors. Because of small kind of cancers, it is very easy to diagnose and cure the breast cancer.
Screening mammography improves the detection of growth of small abnormal tissue, which is confined to the milk ducts within the breast called as ductal carcinoma in situ. Tumors, if detected in initial stages, are harmless for the patients and they can even be removed very easily.