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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
BI-RAD CATEGORY III
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
BI-RAD CATEGORY III
by jvac57, Jul 12, 2004 12:00AM
I am a 47 year old woman with maternal history of breast cancer. For the past three years I've been receiving mammograms and ultrasounds of my left breast every 6 months. It has always been a question on a mass of some sort on my left breast. The latest (2weeks ago) ultrasound came back normal but the mammogram of my left breast required more views. I had these completed last Thursday and received results today.
"Bi-rad category III-probably benign findings-short interval follow-up suggested." My question to you is how serious is this and wouldn't it just make more sense to have a biopsy of this mass now instead of living with fear for another six months? This six month thing drives me nuts.
If the mammo and ultrasound came back negative I would not mind waiting the six months due to my family history just as a precaution. If something is there why not just find out what it is now. Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
jvac57
"Bi-rad category III-probably benign findings-short interval follow-up suggested." My question to you is how serious is this and wouldn't it just make more sense to have a biopsy of this mass now instead of living with fear for another six months? This six month thing drives me nuts.
If the mammo and ultrasound came back negative I would not mind waiting the six months due to my family history just as a precaution. If something is there why not just find out what it is now. Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
jvac57
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Jul 12, 2004 12:00AM
Dear jvac57, The BIRADS mammogram rating scale rates findings based on a scale of 1-5, one being negative, 5 being highly suggestive of malignancy. A three is interpreted as a probably benign finding with a very high probability of being benign. Short term follow-up is recommended to establish stability. If for the past three years this area has been evaluated and has remained stable (no change, no growth) that would add more weight to the evaluation of this being benign. However, if there is concern about if this has been a stable finding, having another opinion and a review of the mammogram results comparing the initial reading to the most recent would be a consideration.
