Accuracy of axillary nodal staging on MRI of the breasts
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A retrospective study to assess the accuracy of axillary nodal staging on MR scan of the breasts in patients with breast cancer
IRAS ID
153326
Contact name
Yit Lim
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital of South Manchester
Research summary
In women with breast cancer, one of the tests performed before surgery is an ultrasound scan of the axilla (armpit) to look for abnormal lymph nodes. This is important as this would determine the type of surgery to the axilla. If the lymph nodes are normal on ultrasound scan, then only one or two lymph nodes will be sampled at the time of surgery. If the lymph nodes are abnormal, then a needle test or biopsy will be performed. If the lymph nodes are proven to be abnormal, then all the lymph nodes will be removed at the time of surgery.
Magnetic resonance (MR) scans of the breasts are routinely performed before surgery for some types of breast cancer. These scans are performed to assess the breasts but the axillary region can also be seen on the scan. The aim of the study is to determine how useful MR scans of the breasts are in detecting possible abnormal lymph nodes in the axilla. This study will involve reviewing scans that were performed between 2010 and 2013. All the women have already received the standard treatment for breast cancer. The findings on the MR scans will be compared to the ultrasound and final surgical findings.REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0642
Date of REC Opinion
15 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion