The American Cancer Society says women with a notably high risk of developing breast cancer would be prudent to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans along with their annual mammogram. In addition to spotting potential malignancies, an MRI is sometimes used as a complimentary tool for previously diagnosed breast cancer.
MRI's Are Not For All Women
A breast MRI is most often conducted when your doctor needs more information than a mammogram or breast exam can provide.
The ACS says MRI scans are not recommended for women with an average risk of breast cancer, because they are more apt to show questionable spots (false positives) that may appear alarming, but turn out to not be malignant.
How MRI's Work
An MRI uses a magnet that is connected to a computer, which enables the viewing of detailed pictures of the interior body without relying on radiation. Each MRI produces hundreds of images of the breast from side-to-side, front-to-back and top-to-bottom.
What to Expect
During an MRI of the breast, the patient lies on her stomach and the breast suspends into a concave in the screening table. This hollow area contains coils that detect the magnetic signal. The patient is wheeled into tube-like machine that contains the magnet. If a tumor is present, a non-radioactive contrast agent may be administered intravenously to improve its visibility and additional images will be taken.
MRI as an Adjunct Screening
According to the National Cancer Institute, MRI is often used to take a closer look at suspicious areas that are detected on a mammogram or are physically detected after breast surgery or radiation therapy.
An MRI can also be a useful tool after a breast cancer diagnosed to establish the extent of the tumor.
MRI as a Staging Tool
MRI is sometimes used in the preoperative staging in newly diagnosed breast cancers because it can identify other areas of cancer that do not appear on conventional imaging.
However, a recent review that appeared in A Cancer Journal for Clinicians said an MRI prior to breast cancer surgery has not been shown to improve surgical planning, lessen the need for follow-up surgery, or lower the risk of local cancer recurrences.
Study Supports MRI's for High Risk Women
The ACS says Dutch researchers have discovered that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect breast cancers in high risk women that mammogram's fail to spot.
During the study more 1,909 high risk women underwent a professional physical breast exam twice a year and a mammogram and MRI scan annually.
Fifty breast tumors were detected over a four year period. The MRI spotted 32 malignancies, only10 of which appeared on the mammogram. The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
MRI & Invasive Breast Cancer
A study conducted by U.S. and Canadian researchers found MRI scans can greatly improve detection rates of breast cancer in the other breast for women who have been diagnosed with a malignancy in the first breast.
The study was co-sponsored by the National Institute of Health and the National Cancer Institute. The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Study co-author Dr Etta Pisano said 60 percent of the cancers found by MRI were invasive and could move to other parts of the body.
Tags: breast cancer, high risk, after breast, breast cancer, breast cancers, breast exam
