A radial scar, formally radial scar of the breast,[1] is a benign breast lesion that can radiologically mimic malignancy, i.e. cancer.[2]
| Radial scar | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Radial scar of the breast |
 | |
| Gross pathology image of an excised radial scar. | |
| Specialty | General surgery |
Radial scar is associated with atypia and/or malignancy and may be an independent risk factor for the development of carcinoma in either breast.[3]
Diagnosis edit
Radial scars are diagnosed by a microscopic examination of excised tissue, i.e. they are diagnosed by pathologists based on their histomorphology.
Histomorphology edit
Radial scars are spiculated masses characterized microscopically by a sclerotic appearing (i.e. scar like) center with peripheral entrapped normal breast ducts and lobules.[3]
Management edit
The presence of a radial scar on imaging mandates a percutaneous core biopsy for histologic diagnosis. Excisional biopsy is usually recommended for radial scar, although it has been argued that core biopsy evaluation and surveillance may be appropriate in selected patients. [3]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Patterson JA, Scott M, Anderson N, Kirk SJ (December 2004). "Radial scar, complex sclerosing lesion and risk of breast cancer. Analysis of 175 cases in Northern Ireland". Eur J Surg Oncol. 30 (10): 1065–8. doi:10.1016/j.ejso.2004.08.004. PMID 15522552.
- ^ Ung OA, Lee WB, Greenberg ML, Bilous M (January 2001). "Complex sclerosing lesion: the lesion is complex, the management is straightforward". ANZ J Surg. 71 (1): 35–40. doi:10.1046/j.1440-1622.2001.02003.x. PMID 11167596. S2CID 34769616.
- ^ a b c Kennedy M, Masterson AV, Kerin M, Flanagan F (October 2003). "Pathology and clinical relevance of radial scars: a review". J. Clin. Pathol. 56 (10): 721–4. doi:10.1136/jcp.56.10.721. PMC 1770086. PMID 14514771.
