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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.
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.
https://openworks.mdanderson.org/rmps26/18
