Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionDiagnosisRiskTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Diagnosis
Risk
Treatment
Prevention
A radial scar, sometimes referred to as a complex sclerosing lesion, is a type of breast mass that may be associated with a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. Limited research suggests that someone who has been diagnosed with a radial scar is up to 1.6 times more likely to get breast cancer in their lifetime than a person who has not had one.
This type of mass may be benign or contain a mixture of tissue, including cancer cells or atypia hyperplasia (an overgrowth of abnormal cells).Radial scars are rare in women younger than 30, and most often appear in women aged 30 to 60.
A radial scar is a growth in the breast that resembles a scar when viewed under a microscope. It has a core with ducts and lobules growing out of it.
A radial scar may also be referred to as:
A radial scar may contain atypical hyperplasia (an overgrowth of abnormal cells) and/or cancer cells, both of which are more likely to occur in masses that are 6 millimeters or larger.A “radial scar without atypia” means the mass is benign and does not contain abnormal cell growth.
Radial scars are most often discovered during amammogramor a biopsy that’s done for another purpose.If a test shows you have a breast lesion, your healthcare provider may order further tests, such as:
Breast Cancer Risk
There have been limited studies on the connection between radial scars and the future occurrence ofbreast cancer. However, one research review suggests that someone who has been diagnosed with a radial scar is up to 1.6 times more likely to get breast cancer in their lifetime than a person who has not had one.
Upgrade Rate to MalignancyWhen discussing breast masses, you may hear someone refer to the “upgrade rate to malignancy.” This term refers to how often a sample that was originally diagnosed as benign (non-cancerous), is later found to be cancerous.For example, one small study suggests that the upgrade rate to malignancy for people with radial scars without atypia is low (about 1%.)
Upgrade Rate to Malignancy
When discussing breast masses, you may hear someone refer to the “upgrade rate to malignancy.” This term refers to how often a sample that was originally diagnosed as benign (non-cancerous), is later found to be cancerous.For example, one small study suggests that the upgrade rate to malignancy for people with radial scars without atypia is low (about 1%.)
A healthcare provider may recommend frequentimaging teststo monitor a radial scar.However, most often they are surgically removed since there is a chance they may include cancer cells.This may be done at the same time as asurgical biopsyor a lumpectomy, depending on the scar’s size. The tissue is then examined and tested in a lab.
Radial scars can’t be prevented. However, if you are diagnosed with this type of mass, your healthcare provider may suggest steps to reduce your risk of breast cancer.
This may include:
Summary
A radial scar is a breast growth that looks like a scar when its cells are viewed under a microscope. It is usually found when a diagnostic test—such as a mammogram or ultrasound—is done for another reason.
Radial scars may contain cancer cells or an overgrowth of abnormal cells, so they are usually removed. Research suggests that radial scars may slightly increase a person’s risk of breast cancer, but further research is needed to understand this connection.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lv M, Zhu X, Zhong S, Chen W, Hu Q, et al.Radial Scars and Subsequent Breast Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE 9(7): 2014.Breastcancer.org.Radial Scars.Cohen, Michael A. and Newell, Mary S.Radial Scars of the Breast Encountered at Core Biopsy: Review of Histologic, Imaging, and Management Considerations. American Journal of Roentgenology. Vol. 209, Issue 5. (2017). https://doi.org/10.2214/AJR.17.18156National Cancer Institute.Radial Scar.Breastcancer.org.Radial Scars.Polat DS, Seiler SJ, Goldberg J, Arya R, Knippa EE, Goudreau SH.Radial Scars Without Atypia Diagnosed at Percutaneous Core Needle Breast Biopsy: Support for Imaging Surveillance. Eur J Breast Health. 2023 Jan 1;19(1):76-84. doi: 10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2022.2022-9-3. PMID: 36605475; PMCID: PMC9806935.Breastcancer.org.Radial Scars.Cohen MA, Newell MS.Radial Scars of the Breast Encountered at Core Biopsy: Review of Histologic, Imaging, and Management Considerations.AJR Am J Roentgenol.2017;209(5):1168-1177. doi:10.2214/AJR.17.18156Yan P, DeMello L, Baird GL, Lourenco AP.Malignancy Upgrade Rates of Radial Sclerosing Lesions at Breast Cancer Screening. Radiol Imaging Cancer. 2021 Nov;3(6):e210036. doi: 10.1148/rycan.2021210036. PMID: 34766844; PMCID: PMC8637224.American Cancer Society.Radial Scars and Some Other Non-Cancerous Breast Conditions.Breastcancer.org.Radial Scars.American Cancer Society.Can I Lower My Risk of Breast Cancer?Additional ReadingBianchi S, Giannotti E, Vanzi E, et al.Radial Scar Without Associated Atypical Epithelial Proliferation on Image-Guided 14-Gauge Needle Core Biopsy: Analysis of 49 Cases from a Single-Centre and Review of the Literature.Breast. 2012. 21(2):159-64. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2011.09.005.Linda A, Zuiani C, Furlan A, et al.Radial Scars Without Atypia Diagnosed at Imaging-Guided Needle Biopsy: How Often is Associated Malignancy Found at Subsequent Surgical Excision, and do Mammography and Sonography Predict Which Lesions are Malignant?.AJR American Journal of Roentgenology. 2010. 194(4):1146-51. doi: 10.2214/AJR.09.2326.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lv M, Zhu X, Zhong S, Chen W, Hu Q, et al.Radial Scars and Subsequent Breast Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE 9(7): 2014.Breastcancer.org.Radial Scars.Cohen, Michael A. and Newell, Mary S.Radial Scars of the Breast Encountered at Core Biopsy: Review of Histologic, Imaging, and Management Considerations. American Journal of Roentgenology. Vol. 209, Issue 5. (2017). https://doi.org/10.2214/AJR.17.18156National Cancer Institute.Radial Scar.Breastcancer.org.Radial Scars.Polat DS, Seiler SJ, Goldberg J, Arya R, Knippa EE, Goudreau SH.Radial Scars Without Atypia Diagnosed at Percutaneous Core Needle Breast Biopsy: Support for Imaging Surveillance. Eur J Breast Health. 2023 Jan 1;19(1):76-84. doi: 10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2022.2022-9-3. PMID: 36605475; PMCID: PMC9806935.Breastcancer.org.Radial Scars.Cohen MA, Newell MS.Radial Scars of the Breast Encountered at Core Biopsy: Review of Histologic, Imaging, and Management Considerations.AJR Am J Roentgenol.2017;209(5):1168-1177. doi:10.2214/AJR.17.18156Yan P, DeMello L, Baird GL, Lourenco AP.Malignancy Upgrade Rates of Radial Sclerosing Lesions at Breast Cancer Screening. Radiol Imaging Cancer. 2021 Nov;3(6):e210036. doi: 10.1148/rycan.2021210036. PMID: 34766844; PMCID: PMC8637224.American Cancer Society.Radial Scars and Some Other Non-Cancerous Breast Conditions.Breastcancer.org.Radial Scars.American Cancer Society.Can I Lower My Risk of Breast Cancer?Additional ReadingBianchi S, Giannotti E, Vanzi E, et al.Radial Scar Without Associated Atypical Epithelial Proliferation on Image-Guided 14-Gauge Needle Core Biopsy: Analysis of 49 Cases from a Single-Centre and Review of the Literature.Breast. 2012. 21(2):159-64. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2011.09.005.Linda A, Zuiani C, Furlan A, et al.Radial Scars Without Atypia Diagnosed at Imaging-Guided Needle Biopsy: How Often is Associated Malignancy Found at Subsequent Surgical Excision, and do Mammography and Sonography Predict Which Lesions are Malignant?.AJR American Journal of Roentgenology. 2010. 194(4):1146-51. doi: 10.2214/AJR.09.2326.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lv M, Zhu X, Zhong S, Chen W, Hu Q, et al.Radial Scars and Subsequent Breast Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE 9(7): 2014.Breastcancer.org.Radial Scars.Cohen, Michael A. and Newell, Mary S.Radial Scars of the Breast Encountered at Core Biopsy: Review of Histologic, Imaging, and Management Considerations. American Journal of Roentgenology. Vol. 209, Issue 5. (2017). https://doi.org/10.2214/AJR.17.18156National Cancer Institute.Radial Scar.Breastcancer.org.Radial Scars.Polat DS, Seiler SJ, Goldberg J, Arya R, Knippa EE, Goudreau SH.Radial Scars Without Atypia Diagnosed at Percutaneous Core Needle Breast Biopsy: Support for Imaging Surveillance. Eur J Breast Health. 2023 Jan 1;19(1):76-84. doi: 10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2022.2022-9-3. PMID: 36605475; PMCID: PMC9806935.Breastcancer.org.Radial Scars.Cohen MA, Newell MS.Radial Scars of the Breast Encountered at Core Biopsy: Review of Histologic, Imaging, and Management Considerations.AJR Am J Roentgenol.2017;209(5):1168-1177. doi:10.2214/AJR.17.18156Yan P, DeMello L, Baird GL, Lourenco AP.Malignancy Upgrade Rates of Radial Sclerosing Lesions at Breast Cancer Screening. Radiol Imaging Cancer. 2021 Nov;3(6):e210036. doi: 10.1148/rycan.2021210036. PMID: 34766844; PMCID: PMC8637224.American Cancer Society.Radial Scars and Some Other Non-Cancerous Breast Conditions.Breastcancer.org.Radial Scars.American Cancer Society.Can I Lower My Risk of Breast Cancer?
Lv M, Zhu X, Zhong S, Chen W, Hu Q, et al.Radial Scars and Subsequent Breast Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE 9(7): 2014.
Breastcancer.org.Radial Scars.
Cohen, Michael A. and Newell, Mary S.Radial Scars of the Breast Encountered at Core Biopsy: Review of Histologic, Imaging, and Management Considerations. American Journal of Roentgenology. Vol. 209, Issue 5. (2017). https://doi.org/10.2214/AJR.17.18156
National Cancer Institute.Radial Scar.
Polat DS, Seiler SJ, Goldberg J, Arya R, Knippa EE, Goudreau SH.Radial Scars Without Atypia Diagnosed at Percutaneous Core Needle Breast Biopsy: Support for Imaging Surveillance. Eur J Breast Health. 2023 Jan 1;19(1):76-84. doi: 10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2022.2022-9-3. PMID: 36605475; PMCID: PMC9806935.
Cohen MA, Newell MS.Radial Scars of the Breast Encountered at Core Biopsy: Review of Histologic, Imaging, and Management Considerations.AJR Am J Roentgenol.2017;209(5):1168-1177. doi:10.2214/AJR.17.18156
Yan P, DeMello L, Baird GL, Lourenco AP.Malignancy Upgrade Rates of Radial Sclerosing Lesions at Breast Cancer Screening. Radiol Imaging Cancer. 2021 Nov;3(6):e210036. doi: 10.1148/rycan.2021210036. PMID: 34766844; PMCID: PMC8637224.
American Cancer Society.Radial Scars and Some Other Non-Cancerous Breast Conditions.
American Cancer Society.Can I Lower My Risk of Breast Cancer?
Bianchi S, Giannotti E, Vanzi E, et al.Radial Scar Without Associated Atypical Epithelial Proliferation on Image-Guided 14-Gauge Needle Core Biopsy: Analysis of 49 Cases from a Single-Centre and Review of the Literature.Breast. 2012. 21(2):159-64. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2011.09.005.Linda A, Zuiani C, Furlan A, et al.Radial Scars Without Atypia Diagnosed at Imaging-Guided Needle Biopsy: How Often is Associated Malignancy Found at Subsequent Surgical Excision, and do Mammography and Sonography Predict Which Lesions are Malignant?.AJR American Journal of Roentgenology. 2010. 194(4):1146-51. doi: 10.2214/AJR.09.2326.
Bianchi S, Giannotti E, Vanzi E, et al.Radial Scar Without Associated Atypical Epithelial Proliferation on Image-Guided 14-Gauge Needle Core Biopsy: Analysis of 49 Cases from a Single-Centre and Review of the Literature.Breast. 2012. 21(2):159-64. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2011.09.005.
Linda A, Zuiani C, Furlan A, et al.Radial Scars Without Atypia Diagnosed at Imaging-Guided Needle Biopsy: How Often is Associated Malignancy Found at Subsequent Surgical Excision, and do Mammography and Sonography Predict Which Lesions are Malignant?.AJR American Journal of Roentgenology. 2010. 194(4):1146-51. doi: 10.2214/AJR.09.2326.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
