Preoperative breast MRI for locoregional staging.
BACKGROUND
Magnetic resonance imaging of the breast is indicated in multiple settings, one of which is preoperative staging to establish tumor extent, multicentricity, and contralateral disease.


METHODS
Results of conventional imaging, breast MRI, and pathology were analyzed from 334 patients who underwent breast MRI subsequent to a biopsy that confirmed primary breast malignancy. The focus of this retrospective study was imaging-histologic correlation.


RESULTS
Only 1.2% of patients with tumors mapped by MRI required re-operation after lumpectomy. Multicentricity was identified by MRI alone in 7.7% of patients, while 3.6% were found to have occult contralateral cancer. In 11 of the 12 patients with contralateral cancer, the lesion was invasive, with ductal histology in 9 of the 11. The sensitivity of mammography for detecting these contralateral cancers was only 22.2%.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative breast MRI is recommended for mapping tumor extent and to discover additional primary lesions in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.
Hollingsworth
Alan B
AB
Mercy Women's Center, 4300 McAuley Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73120, USA.
Stough
Rebecca G
RG
D001706:Biopsy; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008327:Mammography; D008408:Mastectomy; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D018579:Patient Selection; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome