MRI in patients with axillary metastases of occult breast carcinoma

Abstract

In 4 women with adenocarcinoma metastasis in anaxillary lymph node and no primary tumor found,we investigated whether Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) ofthe breast could detect a clinically and mammographicallyoccult breast tumor. MRI detected an enhancing lesionin 3 women and an enhancing double lesionin one patient. MRI directed ultrasound guided fineneedle aspiration cytology confirmed the 5 breast carcinomasin the 4 women. In women with metastasis in an axillary lymphnode consistent with breast cancer and without aprimary tumor, MRI of the breast should beadded to clinical examination and mammography before definingit as an occult primary and planning therapy.