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MRI Capabilities

troyryans
troyryans CSN Member Posts: 24
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
This is in follow-up to my original message path about hyperplasia and tamoxifen. I had a question about the capabilities of an MRI. I just heard that although an MRI can detect tumors in dense breast tissue, it cannot detect tiny specks of calcium or microcalcifications. Do you know if this is true? I was hoping to have an MRI to rule out any other abnormal calcifications (even though an MRI would help me feel better about anything else lurking around).

Any knowledge on this would be great...thanks!

Kathy
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  • SusanAnne
    SusanAnne CSN Member Posts: 245
    #2
    Hi Kathy,

    When I attended a lecture regarding all of the screening tools this is how mammo/MRI's were described. Mammo's are excellent at picking up problem areas whereas MRI's are better at telling us what the actual problem is. They each have their strong points. That is why they should be used in conjunction.

    Hope your mom's doing OK. Let us know how things turn out for you.

    Susan
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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    After my mammogram this week, the radiation oncologist told me the same thing. MRI's Do pick up tiny tumors very well. But they do not really pick up calcifications very well. I have calcifications which are being monitored, and although I get MRI's to detect any tumors in my dense breast tissue, I still have to get the Mammograms to monitor the calcifications. Take care.

    Jaded
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