Magnetic Mammography or Breast MRI
and its use in modern breast surgery
A Breast MRI is a specialized radiological examination of the breast. It is used with specific indications to obtain further information when mammography and breast ultrasound cannot help. This examination is prescribed to the EOPYY by breast surgeon Ioannis Haveles at the Breast Care Clinic in Patras.
Breast MRI does not use ionising radiation (X-rays), so it is safe at any age, even in pregnancy (although it is used with caution in the first trimester of pregnancy). As the MRI scanner works with a strong magnetic field, you should tell the radiologist or technologists about any metallic foreign body you have in your body. Examples of such prosthetic objects are pacemakers, defibrillators, heart valves, vascular stents, orthopaedic blades and screws, ear implants, etc.
When should MRI be performed?
- For prevention of breast cancer in high-risk women at an early age
Breast MRI is the examination of choice for prevention in young women when they are in high-risk groups. - To investigate the full extent of disease in a new diagnosis of breast cancer
In a woman with newly diagnosed breast cancer, breast MRI can help clarify the exact size of the main tumour, the presence of other foci and rule out any contemporary cancer in the other breast. It should be performed preoperatively for proper planning of surgery. - It can show when an indeterminate breast lump needs biopsy or whether it is justified to just watch it.
This is especially true in the rare cases when digital mammography and breast ultrasound don’t give us enough information - Monitoring the site of previous breast cancer resection
Scar tissue healing after breast cancer surgery (wide lumpectomies and mastopexy) sometimes looks very similar on imaging to new cancer. Breast MRI can make this differential diagnosis and perhaps avoid some biopsies. - Monitoring response to preoperative chemotherapy
Some breast cancers are appropriate for some specific reasons to be treated first with chemotherapy and then with surgery. John Haveles, a breast surgeon, works with your oncologist to implement the most up-to-date treatment protocols. The exact timing of surgery will be determined by the tumor’s response to chemotherapy. This can be measured with the help of magnetic resonance mammography. - Monitoring of breast implants (silicone implants)
Silicone implants are placed in the breast as part of the rehabilitation after mastectomy or breast augmentation surgery. Any complications of the implants can be investigated primarily by breast MRI. Mainly the rupture of the implant can be accurately revealed.
