What do colors mean on ultrasound?

On an ultrasound, colors primarily show blood flow direction and speed in Color Doppler mode: red usually means flow toward the probe, blue means flow away, and brighter shades indicate faster speed. In grayscale, white is dense tissue/bone, gray is softer tissue, and black often signals fluid, while colors like yellow/orange/green can show turbulent flow or be part of custom "maps" to highlight specific flow patterns, but don't inherently mean disease like cancer.

What color is cancerous mass on ultrasound?

Based on the quick colour guide we mentioned earlier, you may have wondered: What colour is cancer on an ultrasound? Cancer appears hypoechoic on a sonogram, presenting as a dark grey patch surrounded by light grey or white healthy tissues. It may also have an irregular shape with angular or asymmetrical edges.

What color is a cyst on an ultrasound?

Like follicles, cysts usually appear round and black on an ultrasound. They often have thin walls and don't look like they contain anything inside. However, they are often larger than normal follicles. Cysts don't usually need any treatment and are often not a cause for concern.

What is the color score in ultrasound?

The absence of color Doppler flow is assigned a color score of 1, and is considered benign (B-feature). The color score increases with the amount of color flow seen, up to a color score of 4 (very strong blood flow), which can indicate a malignant or M-feature.

What do the colors indicate on an ultrasound?

On an ultrasound, colors primarily show blood flow direction and speed in Color Doppler mode: red usually means flow toward the probe, blue means flow away, and brighter shades indicate faster speed. In grayscale, white is dense tissue/bone, gray is softer tissue, and black often signals fluid, while colors like yellow/orange/green can show turbulent flow or be part of custom "maps" to highlight specific flow patterns, but don't inherently mean disease like cancer.
 

What Do Red And Blue Colors Mean? Color & Spectral Doppler Ultrasound Interpretation | USG Physics

Is red good or bad on an ultrasound?

These colors in a Doppler ultrasound indicate the direction and speed of blood flow: red usually shows blood moving toward the ultrasound probe, while blue shows blood moving away from it. They help in assessing blood flow and vascular health but are not directly related to diagnosing cancer.

How to read an ultrasound result?

To read an ultrasound report, focus on the Findings (describing structures in shades of gray: black for fluid, white for dense tissue like bone, gray for soft organs) and the Impression/Conclusion (a summary of results and next steps), paying attention to color Doppler for blood flow (red towards probe, blue away) and the report's description of organ size, shape, and any abnormalities. Always discuss the detailed medical report with your doctor, as they interpret it in context with your symptoms. 

What shows up blue on an ultrasound?

On a Doppler ultrasound, blue means blood is flowing away from the ultrasound probe (transducer), while red indicates flow towards it; the brightness of the color shows the speed (brighter = faster). It's a directional code, not an oxygen indicator, showing blood movement in vessels like arteries (often red) and veins (often blue).
 

What does a cancerous lump look like in ultrasound?

A cancerous lump on an ultrasound often looks like a dark (hypoechoic), irregularly shaped mass with jagged, unclear, or "scribbled" edges (spiculated), sometimes appearing taller than it is wide, blocking sound waves (posterior shadowing), and potentially showing increased blood flow, contrasting with smoother, well-defined benign lumps. However, not all suspicious-looking lumps are cancer, and some cancers can appear benign, so a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis, note this YouTube video's transcription, Scan.com UK and this article from Everhope Oncology.
 

Can an ultrasound tell if it's a cyst or tumor?

Yes, an ultrasound is a primary tool for telling the difference: cysts look like dark, fluid-filled sacs with smooth walls, while tumors appear as solid, denser masses that reflect sound differently, but complex growths need further tests like biopsy or MRI for definitive diagnosis. Radiologists use the echo patterns and internal features to classify lumps, but if a mass is complex (mixed solid/fluid), more investigation is needed to check for cancer.
 

What does a cancerous ovarian cyst look like on an ultrasound?

A cancerous ovarian cyst often looks like a large, complex mass with thick, irregular walls and internal divisions (septations), solid-appearing nodules or papillary growths, and increased, chaotic blood flow (vascularity) on a Doppler ultrasound, unlike simple benign cysts that are usually just fluid-filled with thin walls and regular flow. These "suspicious" features, including solid components and abnormal blood supply, raise concern for malignancy, requiring further testing like MRI or blood tests (like CA-125) for a definitive diagnosis, as ultrasound alone isn't definitive.
 

Can you tell if something is cancerous from an ultrasound?

Yes, ultrasound can help detect cancer by visualizing tumors and abnormalities in soft tissues (like breast, liver, thyroid), differentiating solid masses from cysts, and guiding biopsies, but it cannot definitively diagnose cancer alone; a biopsy is needed for confirmation, as it can't always distinguish benign from malignant growths. It's a safe, non-invasive tool, often used with other imaging (like mammograms) for clearer pictures or when radiation is a concern, but it has limitations in certain areas like lungs or bones. 

What color is a benign tumour?

Dermatofibroma are considered to be a benign tumour, or may represent a fibrous reaction to minor trauma and insect bites. They are firm raised papules or nodules. They vary in colour from brown to purple and red. They occur anywhere but are seen most commonly on the lower limb.

What is an abnormal finding on an ultrasound?

An abnormal ultrasound result means the imaging showed something unusual, like a cyst, tumor, abnormal growth, or fluid issue, requiring further investigation, but it doesn't always mean serious illness; it could be benign, related to anatomy, or indicate a manageable condition, prompting follow-up tests to diagnose the cause, such as a thickened uterine lining, gallstones, or a fetal growth concern. Common abnormal findings include fibroids (uterus), cysts (ovary), gallstones, or fetal issues like too little amniotic fluid or growth restriction, with next steps depending on the finding and body part imaged, often leading to more detailed scans or lab tests. 

What makes a good ultrasound report?

There is no single 'correct' way to report, but important elements include a concise, logical structure, clarity, accuracy and an attempt to answer the clinical question, with differential diagnoses if appropriate, and suggestions for further management.

Will a radiologist tell you the results of an ultrasound?

Once the report is complete, the radiologist signs it, and sends the report to your doctor who will then discuss the results with you. The doctor may upload the report to your patient portal before they call you. If you read the report before talking to your doctor, don't make assumptions about the report's findings.

What color is a tumour on ultrasound?

The darker the gray, the denser the tissue, since only some of the sound waves are reflected back. Lumps or masses typically appear as dark gray spots on an ultrasound.

Is color on an ultrasound bad?

No, color on an ultrasound is not inherently bad; it's a useful diagnostic tool, usually from a Doppler ultrasound, indicating blood flow direction and speed (red = towards probe, blue = away), helping doctors spot issues like clots or narrowed vessels, with yellow/green often showing turbulent flow, all safe and radiation-free.
 

What does inflammation look like on an ultrasound?

On ultrasound, inflammation looks like thickened, low-echo (darker) tissues, increased blood flow (hyperemia) seen with Doppler, and fluid collections (hypoechoic/anechoic) with thickened walls, often appearing as a "cobblestone" pattern in skin, or thickened, noisy tendons/synovial lining with increased vessels in joints. Key signs are swelling (edema), abnormal tissue texture, and hypervascularity (more color/power Doppler signal).
 

What illnesses can ultrasound detect?

Ultrasound detects many diseases by visualizing internal organs, blood flow, and soft tissues, including gallstones, liver disease (fatty liver, cirrhosis), kidney stones, heart defects, aneurysms, thyroid nodules, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, musculoskeletal injuries (tendons, ligaments), and cancers, by distinguishing fluid-filled cysts from solid masses and assessing blood flow with Doppler. It's a versatile, non-invasive tool for examining the abdomen, pelvis, heart, blood vessels, and joints.
 

What are the 5 classic signs of inflammation?

The 5 classic signs of inflammation, often called the cardinal signs, are Redness (Rubor), Heat (Calor), Swelling (Tumor), Pain (Dolor), and Loss of Function (Functio Laesa), representing the body's acute immune response to injury or infection, characterized by increased blood flow and fluid to the area.
 

How can you tell the difference between a cyst and an abscess on ultrasound?

On ultrasound, an abscess is a spherical or oblong structure that is largely anechoic or hypoechoic. However, as opposed to a simple cyst that will be uniformly anechoic throughout, an abscess will contain hyperechoic debris. This feature can be used to differentiate an abscess from a cyst.