BI-RAD 4 w/ internal vascularity

angiehemi

With that description it could go either way. There is no mention of "acoustic shadowing" (which tends towards malignancy) or "good through transmission" (which leans towards benign) which to me are very important features to describe in a report. Benign things can be vascular so thats not really helpful except to say cancers can be very vascular. Indeterminate is the correct term for the finding.

If it is a cancer it measures relatively small in the scheme of things. Was there a study from last year to which it was compared or was this your first mammo?

Not a doctor myself, just a fellow breast worrier here (back in June-July).  I'm sure that djmammo who's a certified radiologist and active member in our forums here will soon respond to your questions.  I can only share the laywomen's common knowledge regarding imaging findings.  Birads 4 findings have 80% benign 20% malignancy outcome odds after further imaging, biopsy and/or lumpectomy.  Your finding is wider-than-taller which generally is a very favorable thing.  Furthermore it's only microlobulated and not spiculated, ill-defined, indinstinct or obscured which again is a good thing.  Birads 4 assessment means that the finding is indeterminate through imaging and some sort of biopsy must be conducted so that a definite conclusion can be drawn.  Retrospectively when reflecting on my own summer experience with birads 4 finding and the consequent course of action (mri and other contrast imaging, lumpectomy and final histology) I'd say that instead of letting anxiety get the best of you, just keep your cool and stay focused on swiftly pursuing the next steps (needle biopsy, etc) so as to regain your peace of mind the soonest possible.  Sending tons of benign wishes your way, please don't let the waiting depress you or deprive you of proper nutrition and sleep hours