Breast Imaging
Breast MRI
Rhode Island Hospital offers breast MRI, a relatively new procedure
used to detect breast cancer and examine other breast abnormalities.
Following are some frequently asked questions about breast MRI.
- What is a breast MRI?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive diagnostic
procedure that uses a combination of large magnets and radio frequencies,
instead of x-rays to produce detailed images of the breast. A
breast MRI is a developing procedure. It cannot replace the accuracy
of a mammography or a physical breast exam. This procedure is
used as an addition to all the necessary tests your doctor has
available for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
- What is the difference between a breast MRI and a mammography?
A breast MRI involves no radioactivity (x-rays). A mammography
uses x-rays to examine the inside tissue of the breast.
- Who qualifies for a breast MRI?
Breast MRI candidates are:
- Women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and plan
to have surgery.
- Patients with a suspicious lump or mammogram.
- Women who have implants, scar tissue or dense breasts that
might jeopardize an accurate result from a mammogram.
- Women at high risk for breast cancer due to a genetic factor,
previous cancer diagnosis or a strong family history of breast
cancer.
- What can a breast MRI show me?
In recent reports, a breast MRI used with contrast dye can detect
calcifications that are sometimes missed by a mammography. Also,
the contrast used in a breast MRI will highlight a tumor by showing
the blood vessel supply in the breasts. Breast MRI not using contrast
can show tissue density, cysts, enlarged ducts, hematomas, and
leaking or ruptured implants.
- Are there disadvantages to a breast MRI?
Even though a breast MRI has a high percentage rate of detecting
breast cancer, it is still an evolving test and is not 100% accurate.
A breast MRI cannot detect certain types of very small calcifications,
which often can be an early sign of cancer. Another disadvantage
to this procedure is the cost. A breast MRI costs 15 times more
than a mammography.
- What the radiologist will tell you
After having a breast MRI done, the radiologist will be able to
tell you:
- If there is a breast abnormality or not.
- If the abnormality looks benign or malignant.
- If it is malignant, where it is located and how big it is.
For more information, or to
make an appointment please call the Anne C. Pappas Center
for Breast Imaging at 401-444-MAMM (6266), or e-mail cpaine@lifespan.org.
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