A new study by cancer researchers has drawn the somewhat counterintuitive conclusion that using MRI testing may do early breast cancer patients more harm than good, according to a review by Australian and U.S. researchers.
The review found that using MRIs didn't reduce the rate of follow-up surgeries or the risk of local recurrences, but may increase the chances of patients having more extensive surgeries.
The paper, which appeared in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, reviewed data available on the impact of treatment of using preoperative MRIs' detection capability to improve surgical planning. It found evidence MRIs changed surgical management generally from breast conservation to more radical forms of surgery.
To learn more about the study:
- read this UPI piece [1]
Links:
[1] http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/08/13/MRI-may-not-aid-in-early-breast-cancer/UPI-47401250187645/