Magnetic resonance imaging in screening women at high risk of breast cancer: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more accurate than mammography in screening for breast cancer. Exposure to ionizing radiation from repeated diagnostic X-rays may be a cause of breast cancer.

METHODS

We conducted systematic searches on PubMed, Cochrane and Embase to identify studies on women who underwent mammography or MRI screening. A meta-analysis was performed to compare the detection rate of breast cancer by mammography, MRI or both.

RESULTS

A total of 18 diagnostic publications were identified and included in the meta-analysis. Among the 1000 screened women, MRI alone increased the detection rate of breast cancer by 8 compared with mammography alone (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.42-0.54), and MRI plus mammography increased the detection rate of breast cancer by 1 compared with MRI alone (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.78-0.96). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the diagnostic efficacy of MRI plus mammography in breast was obviously better than that of MRI alone or mammography alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Screening with MRI alone might be the best choice for women at high risk of breast cancer.