BIRADS 4b, enhancement curves?

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JanuaryWonder
JanuaryWonder Member Posts: 1
edited September 2017 in Waiting for Test Results

Hi everyone, this is my first post and I'm looking for some info on my mom's results.

She had an MRI on her breasts and got the "BIRADS 4b" classification, which I've looked up now and got me worried enough to try and decipher the rest of the results. There's also a part on there about this "non-mass" saying it had enhancement curves of type 2/type 3 - I was wondering if any of you could maybe explain what this means? Is this an additional cause for worry, or does it already factor into the BIRADS numerical description?

She's going to see the doctor tomorrow to hopefully get a biopsy soon, I'm just wondering whether with this type of opinion we should push for a private one that we wouldn't have to wait months on (the health care system where she lives in Eastern Europe is really not that speedy). Since my gran died of breast cancer, I don't want to say I'm freaking out, but I really want us to do everything asap if there's a cause for concern, and am not above saying I don't trust the system here as much..

Thanks so much to anyone who can shed some light!

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  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited September 2017

    The only way to know for sure if this is problematic is to get a biopsy.  Even so 70% of birads 4 turn out to be benign.  It sounds as if she will be getting the biopsy shortly?

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited September 2017

    The positive predictive factor of a 4b BIRADS score is moderately low at 36%, meaning that approximately 64% of those with a 4b score will be b9. The enhancement curves, along with wash-out patterns, are what go into the scoring, so are not considered separately. Whether or not to seek a private opinion, IMO, would be based on the first opinion you get and how long she'd have to wait for the biopsy. It is awfully hard to wait and worry, but if she can get in within a few weeks, then it won't make that much difference as a private facility may want to start out with their own imaging and consultation before scheduling, which could also take a couple of weeks, no? Good luck!

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