MRI technology advances breast cancer detection B Y
Dorothy
A M I
F E L K E R
Strauss breathed a sigh of relief when the lump removed from her left breast was found to be benign. She was only 19. Over the next several years, she had three additional lumps removed — all benign. Later, in her mid-40s, the frequency of her masses increased. She had six to eight biopsies during that time, again all benign. But last September, Strauss received devastating news — doctors found a cancerous mass. “It was a shock because I’d had so many benign masses,” said Strauss, now 52. “Because of my medical history, I had to undergo mammograms every six months. Having mammograms, ultrasounds and biopsies just became another one of my routines.” Strauss’ September test was unlike her previous tests, and it may have saved her life. Rather than a conventional mammogram, she underwent a breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test at the Methodist Breast Center. “I have very fibrous breasts, and I’ve been told my mammograms are extremely difficult to read,” she said. Dense breast tissue, which is made up of less fat and more glands and ligaments, appears as white areas on a mammogram. The problem is that tumors also show up as white areas on film. “In many cases, dense breast tissue or breast implants obscure the standard mammogram, making it difficult to pick up small cancers,” said Dr. Luz A. Venta, medical director of the Methodist Breast Center.
6 䡲 VOLUME 5, NUMBER 1
“With an MRI, you get a 3-dimensional image of the breast, which allows a physician to see the detailed anatomy, down to the arteries and veins of the breast. It’s a more precise view of the breast tissue,” she said. MRI also differs from the standard mammogram in that a woman lies on her stomach instead of stands. There is less compression, which means less discomfort. Venta and her team found a 9 mm mass (about the circumference of a AAA battery) in Strauss’ breast and after a biopsy, determined it was cancerous. “I am so very thankful I underwent the MRI,” Strauss said. “With the density of my breasts, they probably would not have seen the mass on a mammogram. The MRI was a tool that worked and was very successful for me.” Thankfully, Strauss’ tumor was small enough to remove without her undergoing radiation or chemotherapy. However, she did decide to undergo a bilateral mastectomy (removal of both breasts) and reconstruction. She still undergoes regular screening because there is always a chance for another mass to show up in the chest cavity or remaining breast tissue, but she said, “I’m very blessed to have the experience I did.” In addition to women with dense breast tissue, Venta says MRI also is recommended for women who have a higher risk for breast cancer. “It can distinguish the tumor from the tissue around it,” she said. “This technology can prevent a potentially devastating misdiagnosis.”
Who should have one MRI is a relatively new tool for breast cancer. Most doctors only recommend it for women with a higher risk or a strong family history of breast cancer. In most cases, insurance will cover the cost of an MRI if the woman has dense breast tissue or is high risk.
METHODISTHEALTH.COM
