What are the examination methods after breast cancer chemotherapy

With the increase of social and work pressure, more and more patients are suffering from breast cancer. This disease is a common and frequently occurring disease among women. For women, it must be taken very seriously, otherwise it will threaten our lives. So what are the examination methods after chemotherapy for breast cancer? Let's listen to the introduction given by gynecologists.

1. X-ray examination: Mammography is a common method for diagnosing breast cancer. Common breast diseases can be generally divided into masses or nodules, calcifications and skin thickening signs, ductal shadow changes, etc. on X-ray films. When the density of the mass is high and there are burr signs on the edge, it is very helpful for diagnosis. When the burr is longer than the diameter of the lesion, it is called a star lesion. The mass shown in the X-ray film is often smaller than the clinical palpation, which is also one of the signs of malignancy. The shape, size, and density of the calcification points in the film should be noted, and the number and distribution of the calcification points should also be considered. When the calcification points are clustered, especially concentrated within 1 cm, there is a high possibility of breast cancer. When there are more than 10 calcification points, there is a high possibility of malignancy.

2. Ultrasound imaging: Ultrasound imaging is non-destructive and can be used repeatedly. Ultrasound imaging is more valuable for those with dense breast tissue, but its main purpose is to distinguish whether the mass is cystic or solid. The accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing breast cancer is 80 to 85 percent. The strong echo band formed by the infiltration of the tumor into the surrounding tissue, the destruction of the normal breast structure, and the local thickening or depression of the skin above the mass are all important reference indicators for diagnosing breast cancer.

3. Thermal imaging: The image is used to display the body surface temperature distribution. Since the cancer cell proliferation block has rich blood supply, the corresponding body surface temperature is higher than the surrounding tissue. This difference can be used to make a diagnosis. However, this diagnostic method lacks accurate image standards, the abnormal thermal location does not correspond to the tumor, and the diagnostic consistency rate is poor. It has been used less and less in recent years.

4. Near-infrared scanning: The wavelength of near-infrared light is 600-900 μm, which can easily penetrate soft tissue. Infrared light is used to penetrate different density tissues of the breast to display various grayscale shadows, thereby showing breast lumps. In addition, infrared light is highly sensitive to hemoglobin, and the blood vessels of the breast are clearly displayed. Breast cancer often has increased local blood supply and thickened blood vessels nearby. Infrared light can show better images of this, which is helpful for diagnosis.

5. CT examination: It can be used to locate non-palpable breast lesions before biopsy, confirm the preoperative staging of breast cancer, and check whether there is enlargement in the posterior breast, axillary and internal mammary lymph nodes, which helps to formulate a treatment plan.