Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, provides a 10 to 100 times greater contrast between breast tissues than an x-ray. However, MRI is not a replacement for a mammogram since it cannot distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous masses. Instead, an MRI is used to gain additional information, to stage breast cancer (that is, to determine whether a tumor has spread and if so, where), or to help determine treatment options.
The breast MRI involves no radiation. A breast MRI creates hundreds of cross-sectional pictures of the breast, so the radiologist can see the inside tissue side-to-side, front-to back, and top-to-bottom.
What to Expect
If you have a breast MRI, you will lie on your stomach on a special table that allows both breasts to hang into a recess called the breast coil. The breast coil is comfortably cushioned and contains the signal receiver. Then, the whole table will move into the magnet, which is a large machine with a donut-hole in the middle, and each end open.
The MRI will take about 40 to 60 minutes, and will consist of several scans that last in length from 5 to 15 minutes.
Results
A radiologist trained in reading MRI will review your images and will either discuss them with you or let your physician know the results.
