MRI vs. Mammography and Ultrasound for Breast Cancer

MRI More Accurate Than Mammography and Ultrasound In Diagnosing Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been shown to be effective in detecting and staging invasive lobular breast cancer, a form of breast cancer that historically has been difficult to diagnose accurately by mammography or ultrasound, a new study shows.

"This form of cancer may be hidden within the normal breast tissue on the mammogram and therefore cannot be easily seen. MRI appears to be much more informative", according to Rose Heller, MD and Susan Orel, MD, lead authors of the study. They are radiologists at the Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, where the study was conducted.

The study was presented May 10 at the 99th annual meeting of the American Roentgen Ray Society in New Orleans, LA.

The information provided by MRI in these cases could be used to guide surgical planning, said Dr. Heller and Dr. Orel. Overall, the information provided by the MRI can be used to plan the fastest and most accurate treatment for women, they added.

In 89% of the cases MRI correctly identified invasive lobular breast cancer, according to the study chairs. This specific kind of cancer accounts for approximately 10% of all breast cancers.

The American Roentgen Ray Society, with some 12,000 members, is the first and oldest radiological society in the United States. The society is dedicated to the advancement of medicine through the science of radiology.

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