MRI scans may help identify breast cancer spread
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NBC Medical Watch
Published: September 22, 2008
A MRI scan may one day replace exploratory surgery for breast cancer patients who do not know if their disease has spread to their lymph nodes.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center studied 167 breast cancer patients, who had exploratory surgery before radiation. The researchers found scans were able to depict a tumor’s chances of spreading to the lymph nodes, just as well as surgery.
Researchers say this may help women who undergo chemotherapy before surgery, because it’s hard for oncologists to determine if their disease has spread to their lymph nodes if they’re already undergone chemo.
Experts say more studies are needed.
Doctors presented their research at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 50th Annual Meeting.
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