ABSTRACT
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has two potential roles in imaging the axilla in patients with breast cancer. The first is staging of axillary lymph nodes in women with new primary breast cancer, as an alternative to surgical staging. Axillary lymph node staging is a challenge for any imaging modality and, at present, is only being performed using MRI in the context of research studies. The second is detection of recurrent disease in women who present with upper limb swelling or pain after axillary lymph node dissection and radiotherapy. This latter role for MRI is becoming accepted in clinical practice.
