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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Mild focal radial scar
Answered by
Cleveland Clinic - breast cancer
Cleveland - OH
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Mild focal radial scar
by jesfet, Jul 02, 2008 02:42PM
I have a mass measuring 7cm. after history listed below, they did a core biopsy with vacuum. The phone results were:Patchy fibrocystic change of duct ectasia, stronal fibrosis, patchy chronic inflamation, no malignancy detected, Mild focal radial scar formation. The doctor then tried calling me back and left a message stating that we will need to follow very closely because of the radial scar. Everything I read on the internet that I have found regarding radial scars and research, concluded overall that there may be a higher risk of developing cancer, and if it is over a certain size it should be completely removed see one of the links http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9971867
SHOULD I wait and see or request my surgeon to remove the entire thing now? What is the likely hood due to the size of the mass they may have missed cancer?
My history for my question: current age 33 Caucasian female. 06/25/07 has diagnostic mammo with ultrasound mammo said 3-4 cm multiple tiny cystic structure birads 3. Ultrasound said multiple tiny cystic structure 2-3 cm ( overall have mri or wait short 6 months for repeat) dr advise to wait. Then 04/17/08 very minimal info on diagnostic mammo bi-rads 2 the cluster structure at 2 o.clock in left breast is somewhat smaller on mammo no new densities or calcifcations. US: cluster of cysts measuring together 2.5 to 2.0 no solid masses or abnormalities in left breast, unchanged since prior study except minor degree. 06/20/08 Breast specialist: palpable lump, US: measures 7 cm complex structure core biopsy done.
( previous hysterectomy 02/12/08 due to other issues, previous use of Lupron to put me in chemical menopause – no previous cancer, but suspected ovarian and endometrial in past surgeries and biopsies. 3 children)
SHOULD I wait and see or request my surgeon to remove the entire thing now? What is the likely hood due to the size of the mass they may have missed cancer?
My history for my question: current age 33 Caucasian female. 06/25/07 has diagnostic mammo with ultrasound mammo said 3-4 cm multiple tiny cystic structure birads 3. Ultrasound said multiple tiny cystic structure 2-3 cm ( overall have mri or wait short 6 months for repeat) dr advise to wait. Then 04/17/08 very minimal info on diagnostic mammo bi-rads 2 the cluster structure at 2 o.clock in left breast is somewhat smaller on mammo no new densities or calcifcations. US: cluster of cysts measuring together 2.5 to 2.0 no solid masses or abnormalities in left breast, unchanged since prior study except minor degree. 06/20/08 Breast specialist: palpable lump, US: measures 7 cm complex structure core biopsy done.
( previous hysterectomy 02/12/08 due to other issues, previous use of Lupron to put me in chemical menopause – no previous cancer, but suspected ovarian and endometrial in past surgeries and biopsies. 3 children)
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Jul 03, 2008 08:27AM
, Jul 03, 2008 08:27AM
Dear jesfet: A radial scar is a benign finding. Doctors are not sure how radial scars develop in the breast. They cannot be seen with the naked eye, nor can they be felt in a breast exam. Their name comes from the way they look under the microscope. Compared to normal breast tissue, which shows random clusters of ducts surrounded by supporting connective tissue, radial scars have a core of apparently scarred tissue surrounded by ducts radiating out from the center.
There has been one study that suggests that the presence of radial scars may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. This is especially true in women with other risk factors. You may want to sit down and have a discussion with your surgeon regarding these findings, your questions and concerns so he/she can put the results into context for you in terms of all the results, your personal risk etc. so you are comfortable with recommendations and decisions that you make. Another consideration may be to obtain a second opinion from a breast surgeon.
There has been one study that suggests that the presence of radial scars may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. This is especially true in women with other risk factors. You may want to sit down and have a discussion with your surgeon regarding these findings, your questions and concerns so he/she can put the results into context for you in terms of all the results, your personal risk etc. so you are comfortable with recommendations and decisions that you make. Another consideration may be to obtain a second opinion from a breast surgeon.
