Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 1/20/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have an appointment to see a surgeon due to the findings on a mammogram/ultrasound. After reading the report I was given a Category 4 and it says that there is an extremely high blood flow associated with the "nodule" and there is a suspicious lesion that corresponds to the palpable nodule. What exactly do those two statements mean? I have or attempted to add the picture of my ultrasound.

ANSWER: Well it means that this palpable (can be felt by your finger tips) nodule looks suspicious to be a cancer and that the nodule has a high blood flow to and from it - which is consistent with the possibility that it may be a cancer (cancers often have a high metabolism and therefore need extra blood supply of nutrients - mainly glucose sugar - and to some extent also oxygen even though some of the metabolism is oxygen free fermentation). BIRAD 4 means a high probability of cancer but no certainty. Good luck!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for the fast response. Were you able to look at the ultrasound and if so have an opinion?

Answer
You are welcome. Thanks! Yes I was. But I'm a medical oncologist & radiation therapist NOT a diagnostic radiologist so that is outside my field of expertise here! On the other hand I have not seen anything contradicting the opinion of your radiologist.