Breast MRI and Cancer Detection

Posted on: 04/03/2007

MRI Aides Cancer Detection
One in 10 women newly diagnosed with cancer in one breast will develop the disease in the opposite breast. These opposite (or contralateral) breast cancers often take years to diagnose, which leads to patient anxiety, a lower chance of successful treatment, and additional, often costly, procedures.

An American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) study published in the March 29, 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine establishes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a key diagnostic workup upon initial breast cancer diagnosis.  The study showed that MRI is a good addition to – but not a replacement for – clinical breast exams and mammography. Additionally, it states that not every woman with an abnormal mammogram should get an MRI.
The multi-center study found the addition of an MRI scan led to the detection of more than 90 percent of cancers in the opposite breast missed by mammography and clinical breast exam -- effectively doubling the number of cancers detected. 

Supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the ACRIN trial recruited 1,007 women who had a recent diagnosis in one breast and found that the added benefit of MRI was consistent—regardless of cancer type, age, and breast density.   

Researchers are also optimistic that MRI may lead to long term savings to patients and to the health care system. The fact that MRI can detect most cancers in both breasts prior to therapy may result in fewer rounds of chemotherapy and fewer breast surgeries. In breast cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment, clearly the greatest costs are in treatment. Unnecessary procedures may be reduced with information obtained from the MRI.

For more information on Windsong Radiology Group’s Breast MRI and Breast MRI Guided Biopsy services, please visit our website at www.windsongradiology.com or contact us at (716) 631-2500 ext. 140.

For information on MRIs for contralateral breast cancer, please go to http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/MRIContralateralQ&A.

Study information can be found at http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/ACRIN-6667

To view the study as appeared on NBC Nightly News, click on the link below.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17818068/from/ET/