Breast MRI
INTRODUCTION
Advanced Breast Imaging with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is considered an important problem-solving tool in breast imaging. It can be used in the outcome and assessment of breast cancer or in evaluating silicone implants for leakage.
Canada Diagnostic Centres is the first facility in Canada to use CADstreamTM (a computer-aided-detection system designed specifically for breast MRI) to better process and analyze breast MRI studies. Breast MRI with CADstreamTM can assist surgeons in visualizing and localizing enhancing areas and efficiently planning for a patient's breast surgery.
Our customized reports give referring physicians a better way to communicate breast MRI study results with patients, ultimately helping patients better understand their surgical options. To view a sample report, click here.
For more information on CADstreamTM, please visit www.confirma.com.
DETECTION OF BREAST CANCER AND ASSESSMENT OF ITS EXTENT
Diagnosis - MRI is increasingly employed to improve the diagnosis and assessment of the size and extent of known breast cancer. It is also used when breast cancer is suspected, but other breast imaging studies have been inconclusive.
Staging - When cancer has already been diagnosed, MRI is often used for "staging", to determine the extent of the tumor.
Monitoring - MRI can also be used to assess residual disease after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.
Screening - Please note that MRI is not currently recommended for breast cancer screening for average-risk patients. Patients who are breast cancer gene carriers and therefore are at high risk may be candidates for MRI screening, but should also be screened annually with mammography and ultrasound.
EXAMINATION OF SILICONE IMPLANTS
MRI is also used for breast implant assessment, to determine whether the implants have ruptured and to define the extent of leakage that may have occurred. The imaging method for implants is NOT designed to exclude breast cancer, as contrast injections are not administered.
REFERRAL GUIDELINES
For Breast Cancer Assessment with MRI, it is crucial for referring physicians to include key clinical history on their referrals for Breast Cancer Assessment, including
- Factors indicating higher risk for breast cancer
- Current or prior breast cancer
- History of Hodgkin's Disease or other cancer
- Exogenous HRT or plant-based estrogen "nutriceuticals"
- Menstrual cycle details (exams are scheduled to minimize hormonal interference of breast tissue)
- Breast surgery/therapy in past 12 months
- Lactation status
- Biopsy/pathology results
- All previous breast images (mammograms, ultrasounds) and their reports
Link to referral form
REPORTING
Our customized CADstreamTM reports thoroughly and effectively communicate the extent of disease by providing detailed analysis and quantitative measurements along with the radiologist's interpretation. All breast studies at Canada Diagnostic Centres are read by two radiologists.
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HEALTH NEWS FLASH:
For more in-depth information on breast MRI, click here to view article:
Title: "Breast magnetic resonance imaging"
Source: BC Medical Journal, December 2005.
Authors: Dr. Ian Gardiner, Dr. Urve Kuusk, Dr. Bruce Forster and Dr. Audrey Spielmann.
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INDICATIONS FOR ADVANCED BREAST IMAGING:
Pre-operative assessment of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer
Lobular Cancer
Occult Breast Cancer
Close or positive surgical margins
Post-operative scar vs. tumor recurrence
High-Risk Screening: Breast Cancer Gene carriers; Prior Treatment for Lymphoma
Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy
Suspected multiple or bilateral cancers
Implants and known or suspected cancer
Problematic Mammograms
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