Radiology, Vol 195, 623-625, Copyright © 1995 by Radiological Society of North America

ARTICLES

Mammographic lesions suggestive of radial scars: microscopic findings in 40 cases

C Frouge, H Tristant, JM Guinebretiere, M Meunier, G Contesso, R Di Paola and M Blery
Department of Radiology, Hopital de Bicetre, France.

PURPOSE: To analyze the histologic appearance of mammographically detected lesions suspected of being radial scars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mammographic and pathologic findings in 40 patients with a preoperative diagnosis of radial scar were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Pathologic examination revealed 20 pure radial scars, 12 pure carcinomas, and eight malignant lesions (seven tubular carcinomas and one infiltrating ductal carcinoma) associated with a radial scar. At mammography, no difference was noted between benign and malignant lesions according to size and shape of the spicule, size of the central core, and the presence of calcifications. CONCLUSION: Because of the association of radial scars with borderline and malignant lesions, a spiculated lesion suggestive of a radial scar found at mammography must always be surgically removed. The surgeon and pathologist must be aware of the mammographic aspects of radial scar, however, to avert excessive surgery, because all cancers in this study had a good prognosis.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. F. Dillon, E. W. McDermott, A. D. Hill, A. O'Doherty, N. O'Higgins, and C. M. Quinn Predictive Value of Breast Lesions of "Uncertain Malignant Potential" and "Suspicious for Malignancy" Determined by Needle Core Biopsy Ann. Surg. Oncol., February 1, 2007; 14(2): 704 - 711. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M Kennedy, A V Masterson, M Kerin, and F Flanagan Pathology and clinical relevance of radial scars: a review J. Clin. Pathol., October 1, 2003; 56(10): 721 - 724. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. K. Gill, O. B. Ioffe, and W. A. Berg When Is a Diagnosis of Sclerosing Adenosis Acceptable at Core Biopsy? Radiology, July 1, 2003; 228(1): 50 - 57. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. J. Brenner, R. J. Jackman, S. H. Parker, W. P. Evans III, L. Philpotts, B. M. Deutch, M. C. Lechner, D. Lehrer, P. Sylvan, R. Hunt, et al. Percutaneous Core Needle Biopsy of Radial Scars of the Breast: When Is Excision Necessary? Am. J. Roentgenol., November 1, 2002; 179(5): 1179 - 1184. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. E. Philpotts, N. A. Shaheen, K. S. Jain, D. Carter, and C. H. Lee Uncommon High-Risk Lesions of the Breast Diagnosed at Stereotactic Core-Needle Biopsy: Clinical Importance Radiology, September 1, 2000; 216(3): 831 - 837. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				M. A. Cohen and S. J. Sferlazza Role of Sonography in Evaluation of Radial Scars of the Breast Am. J. Roentgenol., April 1, 2000; 174(4): 1075 - 1078. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. G. Sheppard, G. J. Whitman, B. D. Fornage, C. B. Stelling, P. T. Huynh, and A. A. Sahin Tubular Carcinoma of the Breast: Mammographic and Sonographic Features Am. J. Roentgenol., January 1, 2000; 174(1): 253 - 257. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Q. Alleva, D. H. Smetherman, G. H. Farr Jr, and G. J. Cederbom Radial Scar of the Breast: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation in 22 Cases RadioGraphics, October 1, 1999; 19(90001): 27 - 35. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. S. Greenberg and D. H. Smetherman Invited Commentary RadioGraphics, October 1, 1999; 19(90001): 36 - 37. [Full Text]

				K. Mokbel, R.K. Price, R. Carpenter, T. W. Jacobs, J. L. Connolly, and S. J. Schnitt Radial Scars and Breast Cancer N. Engl. J. Med., July 15, 1999; 341(3): 210 - 210. [Full Text]

				D. Cyrlak, P. M. Carpenter, and N. B. Rawal Cases of the Day: Breast Imaging Case of the Day RadioGraphics, May 1, 1999; 19(3): 813 - 816. [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. J. Jackman, K. W. Nowels, J. Rodriguez-Soto, F. A. Marzoni Jr, S. I. Finkelstein, and M. J. Shepard Stereotactic, Automated, Large-Core Needle Biopsy of Nonpalpable Breast Lesions: False-Negative and Histologic Underestimation Rates after Long-term Follow-up Radiology, March 1, 1999; 210(3): 799 - 805. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				T. W. Jacobs, C. Byrne, G. Colditz, J. L. Connolly, and S. J. Schnitt Radial Scars in Benign Breast-Biopsy Specimens and the Risk of Breast Cancer N. Engl. J. Med., February 11, 1999; 340(6): 430 - 436. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]