Breast MRI & MRI-guided Biopsy
In some women who have an elevated risk for breast cancer, screening with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended to complement an annual mammogram. Screening breast MRI has been recommended for women with a lifetime risk of 20-25% or greater. You can assess your personal level of risk using the National Cancer Risk Assessment Tool. Please note that MRI is generally not recommended as a screening tool by itself, as it may miss some cancers that only a mammogram would detect.
Breast MRI is one of the most challenging types of imaging procedures to perform and interpret. GCM radiologists have offered this advanced procedure longer than any other practice in the area. Similar to MRIs of the body, a strong magnetic field and pulses of radiofrequencies are used to generate pictures of the breast. However, breast-specific equipment (coils) are used to produce high quality images. In general, most breast MRIs are performed with intravenous (IV) contrast, (called gadolinium) which helps to differentiate normal breast tissue from cancerous tissue.
We also perform MRI-guided breast biopsy, so if the Breast MRI reveals an abnormality that requires biopsy, you will not have to schedule the procedure at another facility, which typically requires to you repeat the screening Breast MRI. This allows us to reach a diagnosis more quickly, so you can begin treatments sooner as well as decreasing costs. Biopsies are performed on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia and by our board-certified, specialty-trained breast radiologists.
To prepare for a Breast MRI, remember that you'll have to remove clothing with metal parts such as snaps or zippers. Jewelry, safety pins, and other items containing metal must be removed, and the technologist will need to know if you have any metal in your body, whether from pacemakers, artificial joints, surgical clips, and tattoos. You will also need to tell the technician if you have any contrast allergies, have breast implants or are pregnant or breast-feeding. During the scan, you will lie on your stomach on a padded platform with spaces for your breasts. The scan itself, takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
To learn more about Breast MRI, click here.
To learn more about MR-guided breast biopsy, click here.