[Comparison of the information value of traditional methods of visualization and MP-mammography before performing organ-saving operations for cancer of the breast].

The breast MRI with contrast enhancement, sonography and mammography were performed in 82 female patients (mean age 54 +/- 3 years) with breast malignancy. Mammography and USI detected correct size of tumor only in 57 out of 82 cases (69.5%), in 21 cases (25.6%) the size of the tumor were underestimated, in 4 cases (4.9%) overestimated. MRI showed precise size of tumors in 91% of cases with underestimation in 5% and overestimation in 4% of cases. Breast MRI gives more accurate estimation of the tumor extent compared with US and mammography (91.4% versus 69.5%). Both MRI and conventional diagnostic tools showed precise size of the tumor in 68% of the patients. Thus, MRI gives more accurate estimation of the tumor extent than US and mammography, which is of particular importance in the preoperative evaluation when breast-conserving surgery is planned with the main purpose to reach the optimal balance between radical treatment and cosmetic effect.