Staging breast cancer? Try sonography

Faculty from the  top-ranked University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center published a review of staging breast cancer via sonography in The American Journal of Roentgenology. 

Staging breast cancer is an essential step in formulating a prognosis for the patient. Criteria are typically the size of the primary tumor (T), involvement of regional lymph nodes, (N), and the presence or absence of distant metastases (M)—the TNM system. These evaluations are usually made with sonography, because it’s inexpensive and can reveal disease not seen on earlier mammograms.

“Sonography is unique in its ability to identify and allow immediate biopsy of small metastatic nodes in the higher nodal basins,” wrote the authors. “These are not well imaged on mammography or MRI and are often below the size threshold for detection on PET.”

Read the full review by following the link below:

As a Senior Writer for TriMed Media Group, Will covers radiology practice improvement, policy, and finance. He lives in Chicago and holds a bachelor’s degree in Life Science Communication and Global Health from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He previously worked as a media specialist for the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Outside of work you might see him at one of the many live music venues in Chicago or walking his dog Holly around Lakeview.

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