title: MRI in the detection and management of breast cancer.
abstract: Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now at a stage where the evidence is suggesting widespread potential in the management of patients with known or suspected breast cancers. MRI is used as a supplementary tool to complement conventional methods of breast evaluation because it has excellent problem-solving capabilities. Many indications for clinical breast MRI are recognized, including resolving findings on mammography, staging of breast cancer when multiple or bilateral disease is suspected, and detecting the occult primary breast cancer presenting with malignant axillary lymphadenopathy but no detectable lesion on conventional breast examination. There is also encouraging ongoing research evaluating its role for the assessment of patients at high risk of breast cancer, for primary staging of cancers in radiographically dense breasts and for the assessment of response to chemotherapy. This article will review both the technical aspects of performing and interpreting breast MRI, as well as the current and possible future roles of breast MRI, comparing its strengths and weaknesses with conventional imaging.
authors.affiliation: Mount Vernon Hospital, Paul Strickland Scanner Centre, Rickmansworth Road, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2RN, UK. anwar.padhani@paulstrickland-scannercentre.co.uk
authors.forename: Anwar R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Padhani
authors.forename: Mei-Lin W
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ah-See
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Makris
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents