Kamran Ahmed: Brain MRI surveillance in stage IV breast cancer
Kamran Ahmed, Associate member and section chief for Breast Radiation Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center, shared a post by Moffitt Cancer Center, on X, adding:
“Results from our phase II trial of brain MRI surveillance in stage IV breast cancer now out in Neuro-Oncology
By 6 months, about 25% of patients developed brain mets regardless of subtype
Thank you Florida Breast Cancer Foundation for the support!”
Quoting Moffitt Cancer Center‘s post:
“Moffitt Research Advocates for Routine Brain MRI Screening in Asymptomatic Late Stage Breast Cancer
A new study led by researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center shows that asymptomatic brain metastasis is more common in stage 4 breast cancer patients than previously believed. The study, published in Neuro-Oncology, suggests that doctors may need to rethink current screening guidelines for detecting brain metastasis in patients without symptoms.
Researchers examined 101 asymptomatic patients diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, including triple-negative, HER2-positive and hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer. These patients underwent MRI scans to check for brain metastasis, with a follow-up MRI six months later if the initial scan showed no signs of cancer spread.
Of the patients who completed the initial MRI, 14% had brain metastasis. The rates by subtype were:
- 18% in triple-negative breast cancer
- 15% in HER2-positive breast cancer
- 10% in hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer
After the second MRI, the number of patients with brain metastasis grew to about 25% in each subtype. Following diagnosis, patients went on to receive early treatment for their brain metastases, including changes in systemic therapy and local therapies.
“Our study suggests that asymptomatic brain metastasis is quite common in stage 4 breast cancer,” said Kamran Ahmed, associate member and section chief for Breast Radiation Oncology at Moffitt and principal investigator of the study. “Although larger studies are needed to confirm our findings, given the improvements in systemic and local therapies for breast cancer brain metastasis, the time may be appropriate to reconsider current guidelines that recommend against routine MRI surveillance in late stage breast cancer.”
This study was supported by the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation.”
Phase II Trial of Brain MRI Surveillance in Stage IV Breast Cancer
Authors: Kamran A. Ahmed et al. 
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