How Does MR Imaging Help Care for My Breast Cancer Patient? Perspective of a Surgical Oncologist

MR imaging is now readily available for surgeons to incorporate into their practice, thus, begging the question, is this new modality clinically useful? Current literature and expert opinion are reviewed concerning the implementation of breast MR imaging to clinical management of breast cancer. Although breast MR imaging is acknowledged to be highly sensitive in detection of breast cancer, its routine application to surgical practice remains controversial because these gains in sensitivity have not been demonstrated to translate into improved long-term patient outcomes. Current clinical trials and the future of breast MR imaging are also discussed.