Breast MRI

Although not used frequently as a screening tool, MRI is increasingly used by radiologists to specify diagnoses and plan operative procedures of the breast. MRI's contrast between soft tissues in the breast is 10 to 100 times greater than that obtained with x-rays. (Mammography is plain film, really.) As opposed to x-rays, which are known to cause damage to DNA of cells, the magnetic fields and radiowaves used with MRI are not known to have any long-term biologic effect. MRI of the breast requires intravenous injection of a contrast agent, which helps highlight breast abnormalities. The American Cancer Society has advised women at high risk for breast cancer to have an MRI. This book contains 100 cases and covers high risk screening, extent of disease evaluation, as well as the full range of benign and malignant tumors found in the breast: DCIS, invasive ductal cancers, and invasive lobule cancers. Rare lesions like phyllodes, mucinous, liposarc, and myotiboblastoma are also covered. Pathologic correlations are included where appropriate. This book has a special emphasis on preoperative planning involving MRI and thus may also appeal to surgical oncologists specializing in breast cancer. A companion website will offer the fully searchable text and images. Greenstein, Caren ; Manasseh, Donna Marie E.