Breast Imaging
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. At Cedar Park Regional Medical Center Women's Imaging Center and Cedar Park Regional Family Imaging Center, we utilize technology to help detect breast cancer at the earliest stages, when a treatment plan can be most effective.
Breast MRI
Along with mammography, breast MRI can be an effective diagnostic tool for breast cancer. MRI is a breast cancer screening often used for women who are at greater risk of developing cancer or who have dense breast tissue or implants — cases in which mammography is less effective at detecting abnormalities. This technique offers a more comfortable experience for women, and is used to:
- Assess the extent of breast cancer.
- Determine the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation therapy during breast cancer treatment.
- Further evaluate abnormalities that were found during a mammogram or clinical exam.
- Provide additional detail for treatment planning.
Breast Ultrasound
A breast ultrasound is often used to further evaluate and diagnose an abnormality found during a mammogram. Ultrasound allows doctors to see the area closest to the chest wall, which can be difficult to see using mammography or other breast imaging. This technology also helps doctors determine whether a breast lump is filled with fluid (a cyst) or is a solid mass and could be evidence of breast cancer.
Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
When a lump or abnormal area is detected during screening, a biopsy can determine whether cells are cancerous. Advanced imaging technology — such as MRI, mammography or ultrasound— can be combined with minimally invasive techniques to obtain tissue samples in order to complete a diagnosis. Cedar Park Regional Medical Center offers digital stereotactic biopsies.