2009 Faculty Researchers

Paul Dale, MD

Does preoperative MRI affect the surgical management of patients with breast cancer?

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Department

Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology

Office Location

115 Business Loop 70 West, DC116.94

Phone #:

Office: (573) 882-8131
Fax: (573) 884-6054

Summary

Recent studies indicate women with breast cancer should undergo pre-operative MRI prior to surgical intervention to identify the extent of disease and if additional breast cancers are present in the ipsi-lateral or contra-lateral breast. MRI's are an additional expense and require patients to undergo additional testing prior to surgical intervention of their breast cancer. The impact of pre-operative MRI on surgical planning has not been thoroughly investigated. This study will identify all women treated at the Margaret Proctor Mulligan Breast Health Center over the past 2 years who underwent pre-operative MRI. The patients' charts will be reviewed to determine if pre-operative MRI significantly altered the patients surgical management. The student will be involved with writing the proposal and obtaining appropriate IRB, review the charts of breast cancer patients and identify those with pre-operative MRI and determine the impact of MRI on the surgical treatment of these patients. This research should result in a national presentation and publication.