Radial scar

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Radial scar
Synonyms	Complex sclerosing lesion
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Usually asymptomatic, may present as a palpable mass
Complications	May mimic breast cancer on imaging
Onset	Typically found in middle-aged women
Duration	Persistent unless surgically removed
Types	N/A
Causes	Unknown, possibly related to breast tissue changes
Risks	Slightly increased risk of breast cancer
Diagnosis	Mammography, Ultrasound, Biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Breast carcinoma, Fibroadenoma
Prevention	Regular breast screening
Treatment	Surgical excision if suspicious
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Excellent if benign, regular follow-up recommended
Frequency	Relatively rare, found in 0.1-0.5% of breast biopsies
Deaths	N/A

Histopathology of radial scar, low magnification

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.

Introduction

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

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

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

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

• Breast cancer
• Mammogram
• Biopsy