Can doctors see breast cancer with a chest CT scan?

Can a chest CT scan detect breast cancer?

A CT scan uses X-rays to produce cross-sectional images of the body. The X-rays produce a series of 2D images that doctors can view as they are or combine to create a 3D image.

A CT scan can showTrusted Source bones, organs, and tissues within the body, and the detailed images help doctors identify any abnormalities.

Doctors may use contrast dye with a CT scan to produce clearer images of soft tissue and blood vessels, which may otherwise be difficult to see. People may have intravenous injections of contrast dye, such as iodine, or take oral options, such as barium.

According to a 2021 studyTrusted Source, a CT scan is not the main diagnostic tool for breast cancer, but incidental findings on a CT scan may indicate breast cancer. Research has found cancerous breast lesions may appear in incidental findings in up to 28% of cases.

In some cases, a non-contrast CT scan may show up breast lesions better than a mammography if they are in dense breast tissue and located close to the pectoralis muscle in the chest.

The researchers suggest that doctors carefully examine routine chest CT scans for early signs of breast cancer.

When do doctors use CT scans?

A CT scan is not a typical screening or diagnostic tool for breast cancer. However, doctors may useTrusted Source a CT scan of the chest and abdominal area to check if breast cancer has spread to organs such as the lungs or liver.

In some cases, doctors may use a CT-guided needle biopsy as part of a breast cancer diagnosis. This test uses a CT scan to guide a needle into a deep area of the body that may have cancer. The needle extracts a tissue sample, or biopsy, for laboratory examination.

Doctors typically use CT scans to detect injuries or certain diseases throughout the body, such asTrusted Source:

• abdominal lesions or tumors
• heart disease
• injuries, tumors, blood clots, or bleeding in the head
• tumor, blood clot, or excess fluid in the lungs
• lung conditions, such as emphysema and pneumonia
• bone fractures or tumors
• severe joint erosion

Other breast cancer diagnostic tools

Mammograms are the standard screening methodTrusted Source for detecting breast cancer. A mammogram uses a low dose X-ray to look for abnormalities in breast tissue.

A mammogram delivers much less radiation to the chest than a CT scan, which reduces radiation exposure to breast tissue. Doctors may use mammograms to screen forTrusted Source breast cancer in people with no symptoms.

If a screening mammogram shows abnormalities or if people have symptoms that may indicate breast cancer, doctors may use a diagnostic mammogram to provide a more detailed image of the breast.

Other diagnostic tests for breast cancer include:

• Breast ultrasound: An ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the breast.
• Breast MRI scan: An MRI scan uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the breast.
• Biopsy: During a biopsy, a doctor removes a sample of tissue or fluid from the breast to examine under a microscope for signs of cancer.

Doctors may also use imaging tests to check if cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Examples may includeTrusted Source:

• bone scan
• positron emission tomography (PET) scan, which doctors may combine with a CT scan
• MRI scan
• chest X-ray
• ultrasound

When to speak with a doctor

People should speak with a doctor if they notice any unusual changes in the breasts, such as a new lump or mass.

Symptoms of breast cancer can include:

• a painless, hard mass with irregular edges or any new lump, which may also feel round, soft, tender, or painful
• swelling in some of or all the breast
• dimpling in the skin of the breast, with a texture similar to orange peel
• breast or nipple pain
• nipple turning inward
• thickened, flaking, dry, or red skin of the breast or nipple
• nipple discharge that is not breast milk
• swollen lymph nodes in the underarm or around the collarbone

These symptoms may indicateTrusted Source a benign breast condition, but it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible for any unusual symptoms to find out the underlying cause.

Attending recommended breast cancer screenings is also an important part of detecting breast cancer early, often before any symptoms are present. Early detection and treatment of breast cancer can lead to improved outcomes.

Frequently asked questions

Can a chest CT scan miss cancer?

A 2023 study including 84 people found that radiologists missed 64.3% of incidental breast cancer findings on chest CT scans, particularly smaller, less visible lesions.

Low dose CT (LDCT) scans may miss lung cancer and do not detectTrusted Source all lung cancers.

Does a chest CT scan show breast tissue?

Almost all routine chest CT scans will show breast tissue. This means they may show significant abnormalities, including breast lesions that may be benign or a sign of breast cancer.

What does breast cancer look like on a CT scan?

Signs that may indicate breast cancer on a CT scan may include a mass with:

• an irregular shape
• spikes on its surface
• rim enhancement if a contrast dye enhances a mass more at its edges

Summary

A CT scan is not a standard diagnostic tool for breast cancer, but a CT scan for other health reasons may detect signs of breast cancer. Doctors may also use a CT scan to see if cancer is spreading through the chest.

Mammography is the standard diagnostic tool for breast cancer, but doctors may also use other imaging tools, such as ultrasound.

Researchers support careful examination of routine chest CT scans for incidental breast cancer findings. People should speak with a doctor if they have any signs of breast cancer, including changes to the breast or nipple.