Finding the right tests…
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Finding the right tests…
Sonography
USG AXILLA images the armpit, focusing on the lymph nodes sitting there rather than the breast itself. About three-quarters of the lymphatic fluid draining from breast tissue passes through these axillary nodes first, which is why they're checked closely whenever breast cancer is being staged or followed up after treatment. The same scan is also used on its own, for a lump felt directly in the armpit that has nothing to do with the breast at all. Ultrasound looks at each node's size, shape, and whether it still has its normal fatty centre, since losing that centre is one of the features that raises concern.
This scan checks the lymph nodes in the armpit for size, shape, and whether their normal fatty centre is still present. A node that looks enlarged or has lost that centre is usually sampled with a needle for a direct answer, rather than judged on ultrasound appearance alone.
Lymph nodes in the armpit, called axillary nodes, are where most of the fluid draining from breast tissue passes through first. USG AXILLA looks at these nodes directly, separately from the breast tissue itself.
When breast cancer is being staged or watched for recurrence, checking whether it has reached these nodes changes what treatment looks like. Ultrasound features linked to node involvement include an enlarged size, a thickened outer rim, and loss of the node's normal fatty centre. A node with several of these features is usually sampled directly with a needle rather than judged on its ultrasound appearance alone.
A lump felt specifically in the armpit, separate from any breast finding, is another reason this scan gets ordered, since the armpit holds lymph nodes, sweat glands, and other soft tissue that can each produce a palpable lump.
Your doctor reads the node's ultrasound features together with your history and exam findings, not the scan alone.
Most of the lymphatic fluid draining from breast tissue passes through the armpit's lymph nodes first, so checking them separately gives your doctor information the breast scan alone doesn't.
An enlarged size, a thickened outer rim, and the loss of the node's normal fatty centre are features that raise attention. A node with several of these together is usually sampled directly for a clear answer.
Only if a node looks suspicious enough to warrant one. Your doctor decides this based on the ultrasound features found, not automatically for every scan.
No. It's also used for a lump felt directly in the armpit, separate from any breast finding, since the armpit holds lymph nodes and other soft tissue that can each produce a lump.
This page is general information about the test, not medical advice. Your own report's reference ranges apply — please discuss your results with your doctor.
No, it's painless. A probe with gel is moved gently over the armpit area.
No. It's an ultrasound-based scan using sound waves, with no radiation exposure.
There's no single preparation that applies to every patient. Ask your doctor or the centre directly what they'd like you to do beforehand.