A study presented Wednesday at the RSNA meeting adds further
evidence to the recommendation women with newly diagnosed invasive
lobular carcinoma should have their contralateral breast screened
with MRI. Most women aren’t routinely screened in the
contralateral breast because whether to do so is highly dependent
on the surgeon’s preference. This research, however, provides
more evidence why they should: MRI detected synchronous breast
cancers in 16% of patients. 

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) composes approximately 10% of
all invasive breast cancers. It has already been reported that MRI
is a useful tool in detecting and evaluating ILC, but recent
literature reports a 4% to 8% rate, whereas the current study
reports a much higher 16%.