The effect of magnetic resonance imaging in the workup of breast cancer

Background

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is becoming an often-utilized examination in the preoperative planning for breast cancer. However, it is not yet accepted as a routine examination for all breast cancer patients due to the lack of data regarding whether breast MRI has any effect on recurrence or survival.

Methods

The charts of 76 patients referred by their surgeons for breast MRI during breast cancer workup were reviewed to determine if the breast MRI changed the preoperative clinical staging, the operative plan, or prompted additional testing.

Results

Thirty-eight of 76 patients (50%) received follow-up imaging and 22/76 (29%) received additional biopsies. The breast MRI upstaged the cancer in 14/76 patients (18%). There was a change in the surgical plan in 19 of 76 (25%) patients, all of whom received more extensive surgery than previously planned.

Conclusion

Breast MRI contributed significantly to the workup and management of breast cancer at our institution, suggesting a higher stage in 18% of the patients and changing the surgical plan in 25% of the patients.