The use of MRI scans in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients: an 8 year experience

NMUH Staff Publications

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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Introduction: MRI scans are used as a diagnostic tool in breast cancer patients to detect multifocality, multicentricity and bilaterality of disease. The aim of this study was to investigate whether performing MRI scans has had an impact on the management and treatment of breast cancer patients in our institution. Methods: A retrospective data collection was performed between the years 2007-2014 on newly diagnosed breast cancer patients who have had MRI scans on the breast. Data collected included patient demographics, imaging and histology results and types of surgical operations performed. Comparisons were also made between mammograms and ultrasound results versus MRI results. Results: Data was collected on 198 patients (range 23-82 years) over an 8 year period. MRI sensitivity for each breast scanned was 96% while specificity reached 86.7%. An increase in tumour size by more than 1 cm following an MRI, occurred in 11.5% of cases, additional ipsilateral tumours were discovered in 22% of cases, and contralateral tumours were found in 13% of cases. We found a false positive rate of 12.5% and a false negative rate of 7.5% (p=0.672). Conclusion: MRI scans has influenced the management of breast cancer patients in our institution. The high specificity and sensitivity has allowed better-individualised treatment plans. However, patient selection remains important as this imaging modality may not always be indicated. [Conference Abstract]</span>