Breast MRI Detects Additional 'Unsuspected' Cancers Not Seen On Mammography Or Ultrasound
Nearly 20% Of Patients With Recently Diagnosed Breast Cancer Had Additional Malignant Tumors
IMS Observations
As the article points out, X-Ray Mammography misses cancer in a “healthy” breast where cancer has already been found in the other breast. This is why we encourage women to seek out an additional screening tool called Infrared Mammography. Infrared Mammography finds cancer at the earliest possible stages allowing for more treatment options.
ScienceDaily - May 25, 2009
Nearly 20% of patients with recently diagnosed breast cancer had additional malignant tumors found only by MRI, according to a study performed at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
A total of 199 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer underwent breast MRI. “We found additional, unsuspected cancers in the ipsilateral breast (the one that had already been diagnosed with cancer) in 16% of patients; we found cancers in the contralateral breast (the one that had not been diagnosed with cancer) in 4% of patients,” said Petra J. Lewis, MD, lead author of the study. “These patients had already had bilateral mammography and these tumors had not been apparent on mammography,” said Dr. Lewis.
“The detection of an unsuspected tumor is critical. These additional tumors in nearly a fifth of patients are tumors that can potentially grow and not be diagnosed until they are much larger—affecting the health and survival of the patients,” she said.
“This study has been particularly helpful to us as clinicians because it gives us data we can discuss with patients when recommending breast MRI,” said Dr. Lewis.
Journal reference:
1. Schell et al. Role of Breast MRI in the Preoperative Evaluation of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer. American Journal of Roentgenology, 2009; 192 (5): 1438 DOI: 10.2214/AJR.08.1551
Adapted from materials provided by American Roentgen Ray Society.
Source Link
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090522131929.htm
