Why is it important for a lesion to be seen in both CC and MLO views?

• A. To confirm axillary involvement
• B. To accurately indicate the lesion's location within the breast
• C. To determine calcification pattern
• D. To measure lesion size precisely

Answer: (B)

Seeing a lesion in both craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique views lets you triangulate its true position inside the breast. The breast is a three‑dimensional structure, and a single projection can obscure or misplace where a density sits due to overlap with other tissues. By identifying the same lesion on two different angles, you can determine its depth from the chest wall and its approximate quadrant, which is essential for accurate localization, biopsy targeting, and surgical planning.

Axillary involvement isn’t determined from this localization work in the two views; evaluating the axilla requires separate imaging and assessment. While looking at multiple views can help assess calcifications, the primary reason to have the lesion on both projections is to confirm its location. Size estimates can be affected by projection as well, so the dual-view approach is most valuable for precise localization rather than measuring size.