Radial scar

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Radial scar is a benign lesion or growth that often appears as a scar-like area on a mammogram. It is also known as a complex sclerosing lesion.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Radial scars are not true scars, but they look like scars when viewed under a microscope. They do not usually cause symptoms or need treatment, but they can look like breast cancer on a mammogram or during a biopsy, which can cause concern until tests confirm that they are benign.

Causes[edit | edit source]

The exact cause of radial scars is not known, but they are more common in women who are middle-aged or older. They are not related to breast cancer, but women with radial scars seem to have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer than women without them.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Radial scars are usually found during a routine mammogram. They can look like breast cancer on a mammogram, which can cause concern until further tests are done. If a radial scar is suspected, a biopsy may be done to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Most radial scars do not need treatment. However, because they can look like breast cancer on a mammogram, they are often removed to make sure they are not cancer. If a radial scar is large or if there are many radial scars, a surgeon may recommend surgery to remove them.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Radial scar Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD