Role of magnetic resonance imaging in managing selected women with newly diagnosed breast cancer

The purpose of this study is evaluation of therapeutic impact of magneti c resonance imaging (MRI) in breast cancer patients that cannot be imaged adequately with traditional radiology: dense breasts, microcalcifications suspicious for carcinoma in situ or discordance between mammography and ultra-sound. A review was performed of 493 patients' records: determination of breast MRI effect on c1inical management was made for the selected 70 cases by analysing pre-MRI and post-MRI therapeutic pia ns. Analysis of final pathology was useful to determine if the change in surgical pian prompted by MRI was appropriate. Breast MRI added c1inical information in 52.9% of patients that resulted in 44.3% of management changes that were judged as appropriate in 83.9% of cases. Breast MRI provides additional useful formation, but causes more extensive surgery (40%) with no proven prognostic benefit. MRI should be considered optional in the c1inical staging of breast cancer and performed in selected cases. © 2009 Eisevier Ltd. Ali rights reserved.