Preoperative MRI in Patients with Locoregional Recurrent Breast Cancer: Influence on Treatment Modalities

Rationale and Objectives: The purpose of-this analysis was to evaluate the impact of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on management in patients with locoregional recurrent breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Forty-three patients who underwent treatment for locoregional relapse of breast cancer from 2008 through 2012 were analyzed. All patients underwent both conventional surveillance-by mammography, Ultrasound, and clinical examination and subsequent bilateral, breast MRI. Results: Preoperative MRI detected additional tumor fed in 15 Of 43 patients (34.9%). In two cases (4.7%), the diagnosis of occult sites had no influence on the subsequent treatment. two patients (4.7%) had an unfavorable change of surgical management with unnecessary additional resection of benign foci. Eleven patients benefited from the MRI scan demoting malignant occult lesions (25.6%) resulting in either additional surgical resection Or radiotherapy. Patient and tumor characteristics in:primary disease did hot differ significantly between patients with a favorable impact on Surgical management and patients who experienced either,no. benefit or even disadvantage from MRI scan. Conclusions: Preoperative breast MRI has a strong impact on the management of locoregional:recurrent breast dancer. This study demonstrates that breast MRI is a powerful supplement to-conventional diagnostic work-up, both during follow-up or preoperative treatment planning in recurrent disease.