What is hypoechoic mass and a category 4 ?

[zueann]

Hello: I just picked up my brest report, I have had two mamograms done of the right breast and one ultrasound.  The report reads (Note is made of skin thicking in the inferior medial quadrant of the right breast.   This is a hypoechoic mass located at the area of pain at 7:00   This measures 7x5x10 mm. This is considered suspicious findings. Recommenidation for US guidid core biopsy.  It go's on to say Corrected Impression category 4 suspicious  findings.  What is a hypoechoic mass, and a category 4 mean?

[zueann]

Thank you for the answer to my question about Hypoechoic lesion and a category 4.  

[japdip]

A hypoechoic lesion is one that reflects less ultrasonic waves than would normally be expected. A category 4 (BIRADS score 4) means that the area is suspicious for malignancy and a biopsy is necessary to determine the exact nature of this lesion. This does NOT necessarily mean that the lesion is cancerous but that it might be and this needs to be proven. A biopsy is the only way to differentiate between malignant and benign when a suspicious lesion is found.   Regards ....