The Utility of Breast MRI in the Management of Breast Cancer

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used in the evaluation of breast cancer. The impact of this modality on patient management at a single institution is evaluated in this paper. A retrospective review was performed for 114 breast cancer patients who had breast MRI as part of their diagnostic evaluation. Clinical information, mammograms, breast ultrasounds and MRI scans were reviewed to determine whether the MRI findings led to a change in patient management. Outcomes as the result of breast MRI were stratified as favorable and unfavorable. Ninety-five patients who had complete clinical, radiologic, and pathologic data were identified. The indications for breast MRI included: high risk screening (n = 3), diagnostic evaluation of disease after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 24) or prior to re-excision (n = 8), extent of in situ ductal, infiltrating ductal or infiltrating lobular disease histology (DCIS n = 3, IDC n = 24, ILC n = 17), identification of unknown primary (n = 2), assessment of contralateral breast (n = 4), recurrence surveillance (n = 5), and other (n = 5). MRI was concordant with clinical findings and other modalities in 70.5% of cases. MRI altered planned clinical management in 28 of 95 patients (29.5%). Management changes were favorable in 21 patients (75%). Diagnostic evaluation of the breast by MRI alters patient management in 30% of cases depending upon the indications. Alteration in patient management is favorable in 75% of cases. Evaluation of the breast by MRI alters the clinical management of nearly one-third of patients. Changes are favorable for the majority of these cases. Patients undergoing evaluation for contralateral disease, invasive lobular carcinoma and assessment of chemotherapeutic response may derive a more meaningful benefit from MRI.