Benign: Meaning in a Radiology Report

Benign

Also written as: noncancerous, likely benign, benign-appearing, probably benign

Benign means not cancer: it does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body. On a scan, it is a reassuring word.

Seen on: Any scan

How it reads in a report

The 1.5 cm lesion in segment VI of the liver shows peripheral nodular enhancement, consistent with a benign hemangioma.

What it means

Benign describes a finding that is not cancer. Benign growths stay where they are: they do not invade the tissue around them or spread to other organs. Many common findings are benign, such as simple cysts, fibroids in the uterus and fatty lumps called lipomas. Radiologists often write "likely benign" or "benign features" when the image points strongly that way.

When it matters

Benign is reassuring, but it does not always mean nothing needs doing. A benign growth can still cause symptoms because of its size or position, so some are watched or treated. On a scan, benign is a judgment based on typical features, which is often enough without a biopsy. In breast imaging, "probably benign" (BI-RADS 3) usually means a check in about six months.

Questions to ask your doctor

Is this finding definitely benign, or only likely benign?
Could it cause symptoms or need treatment even though it is benign?
Does it need any follow-up to confirm it?

General information, not medical advice. What a finding means for you depends on your symptoms, your history and the images themselves, so talk your results through with a doctor.