Radial scar

Radial scar
Classification and external resources
Gross pathology image of an excised radial scar.

In breast pathology, a radial scar of the breast, formally radial scar of the breast and also known as complex sclerosing lesion of the breast or simply complex sclerosing lesion,^[1] is a benign breast lesion that can radiologically mimic malignancy, i.e. cancer.^[2]

It is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in both breasts,^[3] not only within the breast it occurred.

Diagnosis

Radial scars are diagnosed by a microscopic examination of excised tissue, i.e. they are diagnosed by pathologists based on their histomorphology.

Histomorphology

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

Radial scars are often excised to exclude malignancy; however, observation following a core biopsy may also be considered.^[3]

See also

• Breast cancer

References

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. PMID 11167596. 
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. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1770086. 

External links

• Radial Scar: How worried should we be about this rare breast abnormality? (telegraph.co.uk)
• Micrograph of a radial scar (breastpathology.info)