HIGH RISK WOMEN -BREAST MRIs

A Breast MRI is performed to:

• evaluate abnormalities detected by mammography.

• identify early breast cancer not detected through other means, especially in women with dense breast tissue and those at high risk for the disease.

• screen for cancer in women who have implants or scar tissue that might jeopardize an accurate result from a mammogram.

• determine the integrity of breast implants.

• distinguish between scar tissue and recurrent tumors.

• assess multiple tumor locations.

• look for multiple tumors prior to breast conservation surgery.

• determine whether cancer detected by mammography or ultrasound has spread further in the breast or into the chest wall.

• determine how much cancer has spread beyond the surgical site after a breast biopsy or lumpectomy.

• assess the effect of chemotherapy.

• provide additional information on a diseased breast to make treatment decisions.

Without contrast material, a Breast MRI can show:

• breast tissue density

• cysts

• enlarged ducts

• hematomas

• leaking or ruptured breast implants.
   

By comparing breast images taken before and after contrast material injection, a Breast MRI can determine:
 

• if there are breast abnormalities

• whether an abnormality looks benign or malignant

• the size and location of any abnormality that looks malignant

• the presence of enlarged lymph nodes.