Preoperative staging with magnetic resonance imaging, with confirmatory biopsy, improves surgical outcomes in women with breast cancer without increasing rates of mastectomy.

Needle biopsy to evaluate findings on MRI that could alter surgical planning has been recommended. This study is a retrospective review to evaluate MRI preoperative staging with biopsy confirmation of suspicious findings. A total of 184 women were diagnosed with breast cancer between January 2004 and June 2008.