The role of MRI in preoperative evaluation and postoperative follow-up of breast cancer patients

Great enthusiasm has naturally developed as breast MRI has repeatedly been shown to detect foci of cancer in 8-40% of patients, which other imaging modalities do not reveal (5). The use of MRI has been further promoted by consistent and reproducible demonstration that the measurement of a primary tumor size with breast MRI is more accurate when compared with other methods of assessment including mammogram, ultrasound, and physical examination (Table 20.1). Even though greater sensitivity cannot be linked directly to an improvement in outcomes, MRI has been assumed to do this for many aspects of care. Therefore, very broad guidelines and consensus statements have been developed for various clinical scenarios related to breast cancer and screening (Table 20.2).