MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. An MR image of your breasts produces detailed pictures that can be examined on a computer or printed. MRI does not use X-rays.
MRI of the breast is a supplemental tool for detecting and staging breast cancer and other breast abnormalities. It allows doctors to better evaluate breast conditions (including breast tissue density and cysts) that may not be assessed adequately by mammography or ultrasound.
Among the most common uses of breast MRIs are (a) evaluation of abnormalities detected by mammography, (b) identification of early breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue, and (c) identification of early breast cancer in women at high risk for the disease, including women who carry or whose primary relative (parent, sibling, child) carries an altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene; women who had chest wall radiation as a child or young adult; and women who have a personal history of breast cancer.