VBC Specialized Services
Diagnostic Follow-Up
The Vanderbilt Breast Center provides diagnostic follow-up for patients who get their breast checkup at our facility, as well as for those who come to us after a checkup elsewhere has revealed the need from further evaluation. Diagnostic follow-up evaluation is needed if an abnormality – such as a breast mass – is noted during a routine mammogram or other imaging procedure, or during a clinical breast examination by a healthcare provider.
Patients should allow up to three hours for a diagnostic follow-up evaluation because the Vanderbilt Breast Center offers the opportunity to do multiple screening procedures in a single day to provide a full evaluation without waiting for return visits.
During a diagnostic follow-up, the patient’s imaging results and history will be thoroughly reviewed. Additional mammograms, breast ultrasound or an MRI may be ordered, or a biopsy may be done to further assess any breast mass or other conditions that concern the radiologist or clinical physician.
The Vanderbilt Breast Center offers the latest biopsy techniques to evaluate breast masses. These include ultrasound-guided core biopsy, fine-needle biopsy, stereotactic biopsy, MRI and MRI directed biopsy. An additional advantage of the breast center is that the first two types of biopsies may be performed the same day as a patient’s diagnostic follow-up, thereby reducing the waiting time for a diagnosis. MRI is done at the Vanderbilt Medical Center and can be easily arranged by us.
The results of imaging tests – mammogram, ultrasound and MRI – will be available and discussed with the patient the same day. If a biopsy is performed, the Vanderbilt Breast Center will arrange an appointment with the patient within five to seven days to discuss the findings.
Please contact the Vanderbilt Breast Center at 615-322-2064 to make an appointment for a follow-up diagnostic evaluation.
