Highly Suggestive of Malignancy
What does an evaluation of "Highly Suggestive of Malignancy" mean?
An evaluation of "Highly Suggestive of Malignancy" means that there is a good chance of a patient having cancer. To receive a "Highly Suggestive of Malignancy" assessment, a series of imaging procedures, such as mammograms, MRIs, and ultrasounds, must be completed to confirm that is the patient's condition.
What is the BI-RADS classification for "Highly Suggestive of Malignancy"?
The BI-RADS classification for "Highly Suggestive of Malignancy" is Category 5.
What are examples of abnormalities categorized as "Highly Suggestive of Malignancy"?
Category 5 evaluations are used when there are findings typical of cancer. According to the BI-RADS Atlas, Category 5 assessments are "an irregular, spiculated, high-density mass with associated microcalcifications and new fine linear and branching calcifications in segmental distribution." (p. 154, ACR Bl-RADS• Atlas, Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System, 2013)
How likely is an individual who received an evaluation of "Highly Suggestive of Malignancy" to have cancer?
The likelihood of cancer within an individual with an evaluation of "Highly Suggestive of Malignancy" is greater than 95%.
When should follow-up be completed for an individual with a "Highly Suggestive of Malignancy" evaluation?
After someone receives an evaluation of "Highly Suggestive of Malignancy," the interpreting physician should recommend the fitting biopsy procedure for the patient to confirm malignancy (Sickles et al., 2013).
Who gives an individual the evaluation of "Highly Suggestive of Malignancy"?
The interpreting physician for the woman's case will assign the evaluation of "Needs Additional Imaging." If needed, the physician will bring on second and third readers to the case if the imaging is ambiguous in its findings.
Sources:
Sickles, EA, D'Orsi CJ, Bassett LW, et al. ACR Bl-RADS Mammography. In: ACR Bl-RADS Atlas, Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. Reston, VA, American College of Radiology; 2013