A study to be released in the November 1 issue of the journal Cancer took a retrospective look at 110 patients with invasive cancer who were involved in a clinical trial on the use of partial breast irradiation (PBI) vs. whole breast irradiation.

MRIs were performed on the patients and the study found that in 10% of cases additional cancers were found: 3.6% in the same quadrant as the initial cancer, 4.5 % in a different quadrant than the initial cancer, and 1.8% in the opposite breast.  According to the study, these cancers would not have been routinely removed surgically and would not be in the radiation field if PBI was used. The authors suggest MRI be used in all patients who might be under consideration for PBI.

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