What does "abnormal mammogram" mean?

An abnormal mammogram refers to some type of potential abnormality found in a routine mammogram that requires further testing, according to WebMD. Most cases of abnormal mammograms lead to benign results, though cancer is detected in relatively rare cases.

About 10 percent of women are called back for further testing after a routine mammogram, and 8 to 10 percent of those women require a biopsy, WebMD explains. Patients who are called back after an abnormal mammogram typically undergo an additional diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound to determine if a biopsy is necessary. Of those patients who do require a biopsy, about 20 percent are found to have a malignant mass.