Breast MRI with CADstream

MRI is highly sensitive for detecting invasive breast cancers as well as non invasive ductal in-situ cancers. Breast MRI is used as a screening tool for high-risk patients with genetic mutations and those with a strong family history of breast cancer. Depending on personal and family history and consistency of the breast, we use mammography, breast ultrasound and MRI as screening tools. Research has shown that despite screening mammography’s ability to reduce breast cancer mortality, mammography is an imperfect tool that can miss breast cancer in some women, particularly those with dense breasts. Recent studies have shown that screening breast ultrasound is capable of detecting cancers that are undetected by mammography and physical examination. Magnetic resonance imaging can improve visualization of early cancers where mammography and ultrasound fall short.  Breast MRI is also widely used in newly diagnosed breast cancers for pre-operative evaluation to ensure that there are no other abnormalities in either breast and to better define the anatomy of the cancer.
Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging
American College of Radiology
accredited facility. Learn More»

A typical breast MRI can create more than 2,000 images for the radiologist to review. To aid in the analysis and review of the large numbers of images, we use a computer-aided detection program called CADstream. This program facilitates the review of the large number of images and gives additional information regarding blood flow abnormalities, which aid in the diagnostic evaluation by the radiologist.>

When an abnormality is detected, the lesions’ precise measurements are taken in three dimensions and shown in relation to the chest wall, skin and nipple. CADstream helps our doctors identify suspicious blood flow within lesions, an important task as the blood flow to cancers is different from the blood flow to normal tissue.

With the diagnostic tools of mammography and ultrasound and now MRI, we are able to detect breast cancer at its earliest stages, when it is most successfully treated. When used together by experienced physicians, these different technologies offer tremendous hope to women with breast cancer.