Importance of the preoperative evaluation of multifocal and multicentric breast cancer with magnetic resonance imaging in women with dense parenchyma.
BACKGROUND
The presence and detection of multifocal and multicentric disease significantly increases the risk of recurrence and changes the best therapeutic approach in patients with breast cancer. Mammography has low sensitivity to detect multiple malignant foci in patients with dense breast parenchyma. We prospectively evaluated Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as part of preoperative assessment.


METHODS
Women with clinical and radiological suspicion of breast cancer and dense breast parenchyma (> 75% dense tissue) were included. All patients underwent mammography, ultrasonogram and MRI prior to surgery. Surgical specimens were used for the detection of multifocal and multicentric disease. Patients who required neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy were excluded.


RESULTS
Nineteen patients were evaluated. Histological diagnosis was confirmed in 14 patients, multifocal and multicentric disease was found in five and two patients, respectively. Sensitivity and accuracy to detect multiple malignant foci were 42 and 64%, respectively, for mammography plus ultrasound and 100 and 92% for MRI (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
MRI is more sensible and has a better accuracy than mammography plus ultrasound to detect both multicentric and multifocal breast cancer in women with dense breast parenchyma. MRI can improve preoperative assessment of breast cancer in this group of patients.
Olivas-Maguregui
Silvia
S
Departamento de Radiologia, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, DF México.
Villaseñor-Navarro
Yolanda
Y
Ferrari-Carballo
Tabare
T
Morales-Chairez
Victoria
V
Michel-Ortega
Rosa Mayela
RM
Cerón-Lizarraga
Tania
T
Silva-Godínez
Juan Carlos
JC
Arrieta
Oscar
O
D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA