Ask an Expert is a free question-and-answer service about breast cancer and breast health that is available on weekends. If you'd like to ask a question or comment, please visit us again on Saturday or Sunday. In the meantime, please search the existing topics using the search tool at the top of the page. It's quite possible that one of our many existing topics already addresses your question.
If you would like a consultation with a breast specialist at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center, call 443-778-2778. It is possible to get an appointment for a second opinion within a few days of contacting us.
We hope you find the information helpful!
| Forum | Questions | Ask a Question | |
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Breast Abnormalities and Other Symptoms General questions about breast health and possible symptoms. |
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| 3/20/2012 | I recently had a mammogram done where the radiologist determined that pre-existing calcifications had changed. He gave a BIRAD rating of 4-5 and recommended a biopsy. I researched this rating and found it to include a very broad range. Can you explain what is meant by this specific rating. | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 3/20/2012 | As copied from our web site: BIRADS 4 & 5 4: This score means that the findings on your mammogram are suspicious and that there is an approximately 20 percent to 35 percent chance that a breast cancer is present. To make a diagnosis, the doctors will need to perform a biopsy to get a small tissue sample. More than 90 percent of women with a BI-RADS score of 4 can have a core biopsy performed without the need for general anesthesia or an incision in the breast. At our Breast Center, if a biopsy is warranted they are commonly performed the same day the mammogram is read. Nationally, the rate of open excisional biopsies is much higher than necessary. Our rate is very low; more than 90 percent of biopsies done here are core biopsies. 5: This score means that your mammogram results are highly suspicious, with a 95 percent chance of breast cancer. You will need to have a biopsy for diagnosis. Talk to your doctors about what course of action to take. Here @ JH we would recommend minimally invasive core biopsy. If we can help, please call Sheila @ 443-287-BRST (2887) for an appointment. Hope this helps, and best wishes. | ||
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