Getting the results
Your MRI scan images will be looked at by a specialist called a radiologist, who specialises in diagnosing health problems using
X-rays and scans. The radiologist will give the images of your prostate a score from 1 to 5. You may hear this called your
PI-RADS (Prostate Imaging – Reporting and Data System) score or your Likert score. It tells your doctor how likely it is that you have cancer inside your prostate.
PI-RADS and Likert scores have the same values, and your score will be between 1 and 5.
- PIRADS or Likert score 1 It’s very unlikely that you have prostate cancer that needs to be treated.
- PIRADS or Likert score 2 It’s unlikely that you have prostate cancer that needs to be treated.
- PIRADS or Likert score 3 It isn’t possible to tell from the scan whether you have prostate cancer that needs to be treated – you may hear this called a borderline result.
- PIRADS or Likert score 4 It’s likely that you have prostate cancer that needs to be treated.
- PIRADS or Likert score 5 It’s very likely that you have prostate cancer that needs to be treated.
If your PI-RADS or Likert score is 1 or 2, this means you’re unlikely to have prostate cancer that needs to be treated. Your doctor may decide that you don’t need to have a biopsy.
They may suggest you have regular PSA tests so that any changes in your PSA level are picked up early. You’ll also be offered treatment for any urinary symptoms.
If your PI-RADS or Likert score is 3, your doctor will look at your other test results to help decide whether you should have a prostate biopsy to check for cancer. If they don’t think you need a biopsy, you’ll be offered regular PSA tests to check for any changes in your PSA level.
If your PI-RADS or Likert score is 4 or 5, you’ll usually be offered a prostate biopsy to find out whether you have cancer.