Radial scar

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Radial scar
Other namesRadial scar of the breast
Gross pathology image of an excised radial scar.
SpecialtyGeneral surgery

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 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]

Histopathology of a radial scar of the breast, seen as a fibroelastic stroma and entrapped glands radiating outward. H&E stain.

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]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.

External links[edit]