27 Apr Most Patients Referred By Genetic Screening For Breast MRI Do Not Have Study Performed
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Stamatia Destounis
Stamatia Destounis, MD, FSBI, FACR
Elizabeth Wende Breast Care, LLC,
Clinical Professor of Imaging Sciences
University of Rochester
School of Medicine and Dentistry
Rochester NY 14620
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Destounis: Identification of women who have an increased risk of breast cancer is important, as they are often eligible for additional screening methods, such as breast MRI. One criterion for eligibility for screening breast MRI is >20% lifetime risk of breast cancer, as determined by risk assessment models through genetic counseling.
At my facility, we have incorporated a genetics program. Through the program we are flagging and identifying a large volume of patients who are potentially eligible for additional services. This study was conducted to determine the value of screening MRI in the patient subgroup who have undergone genetic counseling at my facility. In this group we found 50% of patients who were referred for counseling were also recommended to have screening MRI. However, only 21.3% of those recommended actually pursued the exam. Of those patients who did have a screening MRI, 4 were diagnosed with breast cancer, all of which were invasive and node negative. We ultimately had a 10% biopsy rate and 50% cancer detection rate in this subgroup.
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Destounis: It is important for clinicians to understand the eligibility criteria for screening exams, such as breast MRI, as well as the benefits these exams can afford the patients. Our study demonstrates a large number of high risk women are eligible for screening MRI, and when performed, there is a high cancer detection rate.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Destounis: Continued evaluation of this patient subgroup will be beneficial at our facility. A larger number of patients will help add significance to the results. We are trying to target the patients at risk and educate them through our genetic counseling department but only a small percentage of the patients actually present for the high risk breast MRI that is recommended and they are good candidates for.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dr. Destounis: Only a small percentage of patients identified at possible breast cancer risk actually go through additional testing with breast MRI, however, the ones flagged as high risk, when they do undergo bilateral high risk MRI and have an abnormality identified on MRI there is a high percentage of a malignancy.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation: Abstract presented at the April 2016 American Roentgen Ray Society meeting
Screening Breast MRI After Genetic Counseling
Destounis S*, Salamone J, Malchoff J, Arieno A, Morgan R. Elizabeth Wende Breast Care, Rochester, NY
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
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Last Updated on April 27, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD