BI-RADS CAT 4 Suspicious 4B Intermediate suspicion of malignancy

Lanie_MommaOf2Boys

Last week I had an appt. for my Annual Mammo. IMPRESSION: Need additional evaluation of both breasts. EXAMINATION: BI SCREENING MAMMOGRAPHY WITH CAD AND TOMOSYNTHESIS BILATERAL. The same night I was called for additional imaging.

This morning I had additional imaging and was asked to wait for the Tech to discuss my results with the Radiologist.

The radiologist came in and said there are new right central lateral probably benign calcifications. Six-month follow-up right diagnostic mammogram. New left upper outer quadrant indeterminate calcifications. BI-RADS CATEGORY (4) Suspicious. 4B - Intermediate suspicion of malignancy. Left breast stereotactic biopsy.

I am on my way to get an appt. set up for the biopsy. I am not sue how to handle the Bi-Rads Category definition. I have been on this forum to understand, but I am still worried and confused.

Beesie

Lanie,

Here is a great site that explains BIRADs 4 (and 5) ratings: https://breast-cancer.ca/4biads5/

Here is another explanation of BIRADs ratings: https://radiologyassistant.nl/breast/bi-rads/bi-rads-for-mammography-and-ultrasound-2013

BI-RADS 4

Suspicious Abnormality - Biopsy Should Be Considered:

This category is reserved for findings that do not have the classic appearance of malignancy but are sufficiently suspicious to justify a recommendation for biopsy.
BI-RADS 4 has a wide range of probability of malignancy (2 - 95%).

By subdividing Category 4 into 4A, 4B and 4C , it is encouraged that relevant probabilities for malignancy be indicated within this category so the patient and her physician can make an informed decision on the ultimate course of action.

Lastly, here is information about calcifications, and what determines if they are assessed to be BIRADs3, 4A, 4B or 4C: https://radiologyassistant.nl/breast/calcifications/differential-of-breast-calcifications

moth

Birads 4 referred for biopsy are still about 60-70% benign. You can learn more about birads scoring here (a Canadian site run by a radiologist. It's pretty cheesy layout and graphics but the info is solid) https://breast-cancer.ca/4biads5/

hang in there - still very good odds this is nothing