The Role of Preoperative MRI in Newly Breast Cancer and Role of MRI to Follow Up Patient with Previous Breast Cancer

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

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I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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ABSTRACT

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a new technique for imaging. There is continued and growing interest in using this technique for conducting breast imaging since the last 25 years. There have been remarkable advances in the use of MRI and accordingly it provides anatomic and sensitive detection of cancer with its definitions. Accordingly, then it is used for cancer management. Accordingly, women at high risk are looked for traces of breast cancer through problem solving. Furthermore, other techniques which are standard imaging methods do not always provide the required results. It is also used in imaging of silicone breast implants, and for monitoring of adjuvant systemic therapy in localized diseases. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to identify the use of MRI in identifying and diagnosing additional foci of cancer which are not detected in other techniques. These are useful in identifying cancer foci in women with early stage breast cancer.

Introduction

There has been remarkable advancement in breast cancer treatment through the use of radical mastectomy to the current techniques that preserve the cosmetic beauty of the breasts. The earliest technique was invented by William Halsted. Furthermore, high-level scientific evidence also testifies to the benefits and uses of this treatment (Weir, 2000, p. 1276). The many studies that have been conducted have proven the efficacy of these techniques through radiotherapy and local excision. Then, there is also very minimal recurrence of the disease to the tune of 0.5% to 1%. Accordingly, there is much adoption of pre-operative MRI for women who have had early stage (I and II) cancer. This can additionally identify the occult cancers in these women that can preserve their beauty (Eliassen, 2006, p. 201).

There are several assumptions that underlie this supposition and which are also proven through evidence. First, pre-operative MRI results in better planning of the operation and accordingly results in lesser affliction of re-excision in females. Then, it will also prevent the recurrence of the disease as better diagnosis of additional disease would have been done. The research also clarifies that localized staging of the disease results in many and most women getting radical mastectomies which do not have good outcomes (Boyd, 2009, p. 343). Hence, it is important to look at both the extant evidence and the future of MRI going forward. Accordingly, this paper reviews the data available on MRI used on women with breast cancer and identifies its both harms and ...