Establishing Breast MRI as a Standard Protocol for Cancer Detection in Women with Implants

Authors

• Leslie Estela Ruiz, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Katrine Gisell Franco, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Lesly Karina Ortiz, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow

Files

Description

Breast implants can limit the effectiveness of traditional imaging methods like mammography and ultrasound by obscuring underlying tissue and masking abnormalities. This literature review highlights findings from six studies demonstrating that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides superior accuracy in both cancer detection and implant evaluation. MRI consistently shows higher sensitivity and specificity, effectively identifying tumors, assessing their size and spread, and detecting implant ruptures with strong agreement to surgical outcomes. It also enables long-term monitoring by revealing silent complications and improving screening compliance in post-reconstruction patients. Overall, MRI offers enhanced tissue contrast and three-dimensional visualization, making it the most reliable modality for evaluating breast health in women with implants. While not a complete replacement for conventional methods, it serves as the gold standard for specific indications and plays a critical role in a comprehensive, multimodal imaging strategy.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.52519/00240

Publication Date

Spring 2026

City

Houston

Keywords

Breast, Implants, MRI, Cancer

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Recommended Citation

Ruiz, Leslie Estela; Franco, Katrine Gisell; and Ortiz, Lesly Karina, "Establishing Breast MRI as a Standard Protocol for Cancer Detection in Women with Implants" (2026). Research Methods Poster Session 2026. 18.
doi:https://doi.org/10.52519/00240