Understanding Repeated Mammograms: What to Expect & Why

Question
I went in to have a mammogram 3 weeks ago.  My doctor's office called and said that I had to return for a compression mammogram because the original looked a little shadowy.  The compression mammogram was clear, showing no abnormalities; the clinical exam was also good.  Now, I receive another call saying that I need an ultrasound mammogram because the 2nd test didn't show anything wrong, but the 1st one did.   How many more times must I go through this?

Answer
That to a large extent depends on local routines so there is no general answer for it. However if the ultrasound also can not show anything abnormal there remains only one more radiological examination for them to order - and it is not certain at all that it will be ordered - and that is a breast MRI scan. So it is very likely - unless something does show up in the ultrasound scan - that this ultrasound scan will be your last examination this time.