New data challenge hype behind elective whole-body MRIs
Whole-body MRI scans may not yield the kind of early detection rates their celebrity endorsers have led many to believe.
These scans have risen in popularity in recent years as whole-body MRI companies like Ezra and Prenuvo built a following with the help of some of Hollywood’s finest singing the praises of opportunistic imaging. Whole-body MRI centers portray their offerings as a means of proactively managing patients’ health by identifying suspicious findings before they progress into more serious diseases. However, their exams are out of reach for many, as they typically carry a minimum price tag of $2,000, which doesn’t include the cost of any follow-up care that may be needed if something suspicious is uncovered.
Boutique whole-body MRI companies have stirred chatter among the medical community, including the American College of Radiology, with most professional imaging organizations advising against asymptomatic patients spending their money on these scans. Something less talked about is what happens after a patient completes their scan. If a new meta-analysis is to be believed, that could be because whole-body imaging typically doesn’t yield any sort of concerning results in patients without symptoms.
What’s more, due to a lack of standardized protocols and reporting guidelines, many experts believe whole-body imaging in asymptomatic patients may bring more harm than good.
“Such inconsistencies may result in over-investigation and unnecessary procedures, particularly in cases involving benign or indeterminate findings, with potential psychological burden for patients,” lead author Joao Martins de Fonesca, MD, a research fellow affiliated with the Department of Radiology at the University of Florida, and colleagues wrote in European Radiology.
The meta-analysis included data from 10 studies on elective whole-body MRI yield. Conducted between January 2015 and April 2025, those studies were comprised of more than 9,000 asymptomatic patients who completed the scans to check for signs of cancer.
Combined, the cancer detection rate for all the studies included was 1.57%. The group also noted several instances of incidental findings that required follow-up but ultimately did not lead to improvements in quality of life. As such, the authors joined other relevant stakeholders in their opposition of elective whole-body MRI scans for early cancer detection.
“Overall, current evidence does not support routine population-level [whole-body] MRI application in asymptomatic individuals for cancer detection,” the team advised. “Despite theoretical advantages, low detection rates, inconsistent reporting, lack of survival outcomes and frequent incidental findings raise concerns about clinical utility, cost-effectiveness and potential harm.”
Read more about the study findings here.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.