BI-RADS Flashcards
Category 0
Incomplete, needs additional imaging
Category 1
Negative; routine mammo screening
Category 2
Benign; routine mammo screening
Category 3
Probably benign; short interval 6 month f/u or continued surveillance
Category 4
Suspicious; tissue diagnosis
Category 4A
Low suspicion for malignancy
Cat. 4B
Moderate suspicion for malignancy
Cat 4C
High suspicion for malignancy
Category 5
Highly suggestive of malignancy; tissue diagnosis
Category 6
Known biopsy proven malignancy; surgical excision when clinically appropriate
How will a mass be described?
According to its shape, density, and margin
Different shapes of a mass
1) round (benign shape)
2) oval (benign shape)
3) irregular (malignant shape)
Different margins of a mass
1) circumscribed (well rounded)- benign
2) indistinct (not like any other)- malignant
3) speculated (fingers growing off)- malignant
4) obscured (see only part of it)- benign
5) micro-lobulated (bumpy)- benign or malignant
Diffused calcification
Random throughout breast
Regional calcification
Occupying a large portion of the breast
Grouped calcification
Few calcifications occupying a small portion of the breast
Linear calcification
Arranged in a line
Segmental calcification
Deposits in a duct or ducts and their branches
Calcifications typically benign
-round
-dystrophic (calcs in scar tissue)
-skin calcs
-vascular cals
-rimed or halo
-milk of calc
-rod like
-popcorn shape
Amorphous or indistinct calcs
Small and hazy, specific shape cannot be determined. 20% biopsied are malignant
Coarse heterogeneous calcs
Irregular calcs clearly visible, (bright anf chunky) between 0.5 mm and 1 mm. About 15% biopsied are malignant
Fine pleomorphic calcs
Have individual, separate, and distinct shapes; usually <0.5 mm about 25-40% chance of being malignant
Fine linear branching calcs
Thin, linear irregular calcs, may be discontinuous, occasionally branching forms can be seen <0.5 mm
Cyst
Mass with sac like pocket that contains fluid, air, or other substances. Often circumscribed and see through
Simple cyst
-Fluid filled, smooth thin walls.
-always benign
Complex cysts
-Contain something besides fluid
-f/u or biopsy
Galactocele
-milk filled cyst
-occurs more after breastfeeding has stopped; milk is retained and becomes stagnant within breast ducts
-always benign, does not increase bc risk
Fibroadenoma
-benign tumors composed of stromal and epithelial elements (multiple might indicate increased risk of bc)
-common in younger women
Lipoma
-pocket of fat encapsulated by thin fibrous capsule (common)
-slow growing tumors more common in post menopausal women
Hamartoma (fibroadenolipoma)
-benign proliferation of fibrous, glandular, and fatty tissue
-surrounded by thin capsule of connective tissue
Ductal ectasia
-lactiferous duct widens, duct walls thicken and duct is filled with fluid
-milk duct may be blocked by thick, sticky substance
-can cause green or black discharge
-in peri or post menopausal women
-does not increase bc
Hematoma
-blood filled swelling caused by trauma to the breast (common after biopsy)
-not cancerous
-may leave behind scar tissue
Breast abscess and inflammation
-occur as complication of mastitis (bacterial infection that causes breast to become red and inflamed)
-usually in women breaststroke
Fat necrosis (oil cyst)
-damaged or dead tissue
-can happen following needle biopsy, breast surgery
-feels like a firm lump, usually painless
-does not increase risk of bc
-usually goes away itself
Lymph nodes
-small clumps of immune cells that act as filters for lymphatic system
-lymphatic system runs throughout entire body and carries fluid and cells
-axillary lymph nodes are first place bc is likely to spread
Radial scar
-Area of hardening of breast tissue that can occur as breast ages
-stellate configuration (speculated); can mimic malignancy
-Self-limiting breast tumor that is a result of a new disorganized cell growth.
Papilloma (benign and high risk)
-tumor growing in the ducts inside the nipple with finger like fronds
-may cause nipple discharge or bleeding
-surg. to remove
Lobular Carcinoma (LCIS)
-not considered to be cancer
-having LCIS does increase risk of bc
-does not cause a lump and can’t be seen on mammo; found when biopsy is done for another problem in the breast
