Scans and X-rays
What Does LI-RADS Mean on a Liver Scan Report?
LI-RADS · say it: LYE-radzAlso written: Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System, LR category
Short answer
LI-RADS is a scoring system used on liver scans in people at higher risk of liver cancer to describe how likely a spot is to be cancer.
What it means
LI-RADS stands for Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System. It is mainly used for people at higher risk of liver cancer, such as people with cirrhosis or long-term hepatitis B.
Liver spots are given categories such as LR-1 (definitely benign) through LR-5 (definitely liver cancer). LR-3 is intermediate, and LR-4 is probably cancer. There are also categories such as LR-M (probably a malignancy, not specific to liver cell cancer) and LR-TIV (tumour in a vein).
The category helps doctors decide whether to continue routine monitoring, repeat the scan sooner, or arrange more tests.
Where you may see it
- Liver CT and MRI reports
- Liver ultrasound surveillance reports (which use a separate ultrasound version)
- Hepatology clinic letters
📄 How it looks on a report
Segment 6 observation, 1.4 cm, LI-RADS 3.
🙅 What it does not mean
- LR-3 does not mean cancer. It means the spot is uncertain.
- LI-RADS is not usually used for people at average risk. Your doctor will know if it applies to you.
- The category is not the same as cancer staging.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
🧾 Reports where you will see “LI-RADS”
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🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “LI-RADS” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- RadiologyInfo.org ↗
Radiological Society of North America and American College of Radiology
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General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.