BIRADS or BI-RADS stands for Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. It’s a standardized method of reporting the findings of breast imaging scans that categorizes the results from 0 to 6, with 1 meaning a normal scan, and 6 meaning the patient has a cancerous tumor shown on biopsy. A score of 0 means the current scan was incomplete, and further imaging (or comparison to previous scans) is likely required for an accurate report.
The reporting system standardizes the results to help doctors understand the breast scan result at a glance. The BIRADS categories are used for mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and breast MRI scans.
No. | Category | Recommended Action | Likelihood of Cancer |
0 | Incomplete | Additional imaging required | N/A |
1 | Negative | Routine annual screening | Essentially 0% |
2 | Benign | Routine annual screening | Essentially 0% |
3 | Probably Benign | Short-internal (6-month) follow-up | > 0% but ≤ 2% |
4 | Suspicious for malignancy | Biopsy done for tissue diagnosis |
4a. Low suspicion for malignancy (>2% to ≤10%) 4b. Moderate suspicion for malignancy (>10% to <50%) 4c. High suspicion for malignancy (>50% to <95%) |
5 | Highly suggestive of malignancy | Biopsy done for tissue diagnosis | ≥95% |
6 | Known biopsy-proven | Surgical excision when clinically appropriate | N/A |