The effect of magnetic resonance imaging in the workup of breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is becoming an often-utilized examination in the preoperative planning for breast cancer. However, it is not yet accepted as a routine examination for all breast cancer patients due to the lack of data regarding whether breast MRI has any effect on recurrence or survival.


METHODS
The charts of 76 patients referred by their surgeons for breast MRI during breast cancer workup were reviewed to determine if the breast MRI changed the preoperative clinical staging, the operative plan, or prompted additional testing.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight of 76 patients (50%) received follow-up imaging and 22/76 (29%) received additional biopsies. The breast MRI upstaged the cancer in 14/76 patients (18%). There was a change in the surgical plan in 19 of 76 (25%) patients, all of whom received more extensive surgery than previously planned.


CONCLUSIONS
Breast MRI contributed significantly to the workup and management of breast cancer at our institution, suggesting a higher stage in 18% of the patients and changing the surgical plan in 25% of the patients.
Ciocchetti
Jillian M
JM
Exempla St. Joseph Hospital, Department of General Surgery, Denver, CO, USA. jillianciocchetti@gmail.com
Joy
Nancy
N
Staller
Sarah
S
Warmack
Jessica
J
Mann
Adrienne
A
Moore
John T
JT
Davis-Merritt
Deborah K
DK
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies