Final answer:
BI-RADS 4 category contains three subcategories indicating varying levels of suspicion for malignancy: BI-RADS 4A with low suspicion, BI-RADS 4B with moderate suspicion, and BI-RADS 4C with high suspicion. These guide the need for follow-up actions, such as further imaging or biopsy, based on the level of concern.
Step-by-step explanation:
The BI-RADS scoring system, developed by the American College of Radiology, is a widely accepted system used to classify findings on mammography and other breast imaging studies. The purpose of the BI-RADS system is to standardize reporting, and it provides a range from 0 to 6, each indicating a different level of concern for the presence of breast cancer.
Within the BI-RADS 4 category, there are subcategories that help to convey a more specific level of suspicion for malignancy. These subcategories are:
BI-RADS 4A: Low suspicion for malignancyBI-RADS 4B: Moderate suspicion for malignancyBI-RADS 4C: High suspicion for malignancy
When a lesion is categorized as a BI-RADS 4, it typically means that the radiologist recommends a biopsy to determine whether cancer is present. Each subcategory reflects a different degree of concern and affects the urgency and type of follow-up. For example, BI-RADS 4A lesions may be followed up with additional imaging or a biopsy, while BI-RADS 4C lesions are more likely to require immediate biopsy.