Mammographic lesions suggestive of radial scars: microscopic findings in 40 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the histologic appearance of mammographically detected lesions suspected of being radial scars.


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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Frouge
C
C
Department of Radiology, Hôpital de Bicêtre, France.
Tristant
H
H
Guinebretière
J M
JM
Meunier
M
M
Contesso
G
G
Di Paola
R
R
Bléry
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged