The Clinical Significance of Preoperative MRI for Determination of Surgery in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: Currently MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is widely used for the preoperative staging of breast cancer. In this study, we assessed the impact of preoperative breast MRI on the surgical management of breast cancer in women. Methods: From March 2004 to October 2006, 162 cases were enrolled for preoperative MRI for the staging of breast cancer. The MRI findings and clinicopathological results were investigated and the accuracy of breast MRI was analyzed with respect to the detection of multiplicity, nipple involvement and bilaterality of the breast cancers. Results: For detecting multifocal lesions, the sensitivity and specificity of breast MRI were 100% and 48.5%, respectively, and the results of bresat ultrasound were 100% and 63.4%, respectively. For detecting nipple invasion, the sensitivity and specificity of breast MRI was 80% and 74.6%, and for ultrasound was 33.3% and 86.4%. In 27 cases (16.7%) the type of surgery was changed according to the preoperative MRI findings; however, in only 6 cases were the MRI findings in concordance with the pathological findings of the mastectomy specimen. Conclusion: In clinical application of breast MRI for preoperative staging, the decision to undertake surgery for breast cancer based on a MRI findings should be prudent due to its low specificity. (J Breast Cancer 2006;9: 343-348)