Prior Indications

Breast MRI has already been recognized as a very important breast imaging modality for higher risk patients based on accumulated and convincing data from numerous clinical trials done in the mid to late 1990s. Despite substantial differences in patient population and MRI technique, all reported significantly higher sensitivity for MRI compared to both mammography or any of the other modalities used.

Kriege had screened 2000 unaffected patients aged 25 to 70 with an estimated 15% risk of breast cancer (19% proven gene carriers) and reported that 80% of the tumors were detected by MRI versus 33% by conventional film mammography, and tumors picked up by MRI were smaller than those detected by film mammography. Five subsequent trials in high risk patients produced similar results, with MRI sensitivity ranging from 71% to 100% versus 16% to 40% for film mammography.

These and other subsequent trials led to the current list of indications for a breast MRI found on the Ville Marie Breast MRI referral form (available on-line):

• To help mammography and high resolution ultrasound in monitoring high risk patients or patients with breast implants
• To better evaluate the local extent and staging of established breast cancer prior to surgery, or to help assess residual tumor after surgery
• To help monitor the efficiency of neo-adjuvant (prior to surgery) chemotherapy, immunotherapy or hormonal therapy
• To better assess a local recurrence or to seek out an occult breast primary when associated with involved axillary lymph nodes.

Please contact us for more information about our services.