Introduction:

Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is controversial in patients with breast cancer, and there is no consensus on its benefit compared to standard images. The objective of this review was to evaluate the comparative studies of patients with non-advanced breast cancer, with or without the use of PROM.

Methods:

A search was done for medical articles published from January 1, 2000, to March 31, 2021, in MEDLINE/PUBMED, LILACS, and SCIELO, and publications that met the inclusion criteria were included.

Results:

There were 3,828 publications, of which 53 met the inclusion criteria; the selected articles were reviewed, and the results were organized in tables. There were 46 single- or multicenter retrospective and comparative studies, three prospective, randomized, controlled studies, and four meta-analyses that included patients with infiltrating ductal or lobular carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ. The comparative results were antagonistic and debatable; however, in the most relevant studies, it was shown that: PROM delays surgery; increases mastectomies and additional biopsies; increases detection of ipsilateral/contralateral disease not necessarily malignant; no significant difference was established in the rate of loco-regional or distant recurrence.

Conclusions:

MRI in non-advanced breast cancer has controversial results in the type of surgery, reoperations, and progression-free survival. It is necessary to have additional prospective, multicenter, randomized, and comparative studies that clearly define its role and benefit.

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