Radial scar/complex sclerosing Lesion - I'm worried!

tizzi

Hi,

I have just been diagnosed as having a radial scar or sclerosing lesion that is not malignant. I was really happy with the news at first and then did a bit of research to find out what it was. My doctor seems happy with the diagnosis and says that there is no follow up. from my research it seems that it is common to have them removed though as they can hide other cancers. Has anyone else had this diagnosis? or know what the normal treatment if any is? I am feeling really confused and as it's friday night here in New Zealand I will have to wait the weekend to talk to someone. Most of the info I have seen is from American or UK sites, the way they approach it here in NZ might be different but I would still love to hear from anyone on the subject!

MelissaDallas

Hi Tizzi,

Try the search function here & put in either term. There have been lots of threads on this

mammalou

I've had both. They were found along with my breast cancer. Later, in my non cancer breast I've had two excisional biopsies that were sclerosing adenosis. My breast surgeon is not overly cconcerned although she follows me every 6 months with and MRI every year. I think they are considered to mildlyincrease cancer risk.

missR

I had a radial scar diagnosed in September (1.5cm, could not feel myself, found "accidentaly" when looking at something else via an u/s. Mammogram missed it.). It turned out to *just* be a radial scar, but I was given 2 options: remove or continue follow-up in 6 months. I chose to have it removed, as I did not want to go through the same fear over and over again. The dr could not be sure there was no underlying cancer lurking without removing it. I had a lumpectomy in November. My follow-up is in 2 yrs.

hollyberry123

Hi MissR - I'm in the same situation. I've been diagnosed with a benign radial scar through biopsy at the breast clinic.

Going tmr to discuss my options with a breast surgeon. Can you tell me a bit about the surgery & recovery time.

Hoping you're well.

tizzi

hi,

Thank you so much everyone who posted. So glad I had this forum to read through and could see that having it removed is common place. I'm NZ we don't all have health insurance as part of our taxes go to public health care. My doctor was so blasé about the radial scar she obviously had no idea what it was and said there was no need for a follow up. After doing my own research I paid $$$ to go and see a specialist

The specialist was amazing and very concerned that the doctor hadn't referred me to a specialist under public health as it is protocol that they are taken out I am so glad I investigated it further by myself and persevered as the doctor made me feel like I was making a fuss about nothing! So I am now on the wait list to have it removed. It should get done within the next two months so just have to do a bit more waiting! My surgeon said the would use a hook wire technique to remove it

violethope

Tizzi- so glad that you getting your RSL removed. I live in Canada where it is usual practice to have them removed. I had one picked up on Mammo last March. Here they do a "lumpectomy" and am so glad they did as they did pick up a small IDC that would never have been found. I'm so glad I received early treatment and currently going through radiation. Good luck with everything and yes continue to be your own best advocate!

Supportive

hi violet

For tizi to understand am i correct in saying that the few cases for radial scar lesions they can hide idc which is why excision is recommended? Was your idc around the edge or close by the lesion or actually within it

missR

Hi hollyberry1, the surgery was almost a non event after months of worry. It was day surgery. I had a localization wire placed before the surgery (ultrasound guided). Then I had another mammogram to make sure it was in the exact right place. The lumpectomy was done under general anasthetic. I was not overly sore after, but very tired. The surgery was on a Tuesday, and I took the rest of the week off, though I was feeling fine by the Thursday. I had dissolving stitches, so nothing to take out. My follow up post surgery was two and a half weeks later, at which point the pathology results were back. I still have a red scar, and a couple of smaller red points where I had various biopsies. I feel very fortunate for the excellent access to care. Prior to the day of surgery I had been sent for two biopsies, a mammogram, a 3d mammogram and an MRI. None of the imaging could rule out cancer, hence the lumpectomy. The biopsies all came back clear, but because they sample just a tiny bit (even if they take several samples per visit), the Dr could not be sure.

Good luck hollyberry1. Waiting and not knowing is very difficult.

violethope

Hi Supportive- yes my understanding is that they really don't know what causes a RSL but sometimes it is in response to an area of cancer that is hiding either behind it or beside it. In my case it was beside the RSL so was considered an "incidental" finding of breast cancer. My surgeon looked at me and said" you are a perfect example of why we remove RSLs". I understand it doesn't happen that often but it can ( and obviously did in my case) which is why they want to remove them. Have a good evening!

Mrs_N_2_U

Hello all,

Iam so happy I found this forum. I just had my radial scar removed yesterday and I'm now in the process of waiting for results. From the information I've researched, there is a slim chance of cancer being found. Is there anyone here that was dx with cancer after surgery

Supportive

thanks violet. Hope you are doing ok. Sounds like you are? Did you then have to do a re excision to get clear margins ?

tizzi

Thanks Violethope. I am so pleased I'm getting it removed too! And thanks for the information. The bs I saw drew a picture a bit like the spokes of a bike wheel and showed me how little cancers could hide in the corners. I am so glad that yours was taken out and that it was caught so early!

Mrs N good luck for your results!

mammalou

I had radial scar found in the margins of my cancer. Never seen on any imaging

violethope

Hi ladies. Yes my margins were clear around the cancer when my BS removed the RSL. The cancer itself was only 0.4 cm even though it was invasive outside the milk ducts so I feel very lucky! Currently having radiation and tomorrow will be #4 of 16 treatments. Wishing everyone all the best!

tizzi

Hi,

For those of you who have had an excisional biopsy - how much time did you need off work? I have had mine scheduled now but I am just starting a new job on Monday and it is for the week after that! So not looking forward to asking for time off straight away. Thank you.

MelissaDallas

Tizzi, my surgeon just told me to take the day after surgery. I had surprisingly little discomfort, especially after a couple of days. You may have a restriction on how much weight you can lift until your follow up visit. I think you'll probably be fine unless it is a very physically demanding job.

Ddw79

I understand the concern and I was concerned too. I took the day of surgery off from work of course and then the two days following. It really wasn't bad and I also have other health issues. I bet you will do fine

tizzi

Thank you so much, I am a school teacher for 8/9 year olds and was thinking of asking for three days in total off which sounds like it will be plenty. I was previously teaching 5yr olds who would always by jumping in for cuddles so maybe the fact I'm starting a new job isn't necessarily all bad! Great to hear other's experiences first hand.

Anonymous

tizzi--if you could manage to get it scheduled for a Friday, then you would have Sat and Sun to rest and recover, and most likely would be OK to work on Mon. (or just take one more day off).

Anne

tizzi

aww - Thank you, I tried but unfortunately the surgeon I have been put under only does surgeries at the hospital on Mondays! Bit of a pain!

Sal77

Hello! I am so happy to have found this site. I have my first appt with the BS coming up. Micro calcification where found in my mammogram so a biopsy was preformed. The biopsy results showed that I had radial sclerosis lesion with micro calcification and usual ductal hyperplasia. They are recommending a lumpectomy. I am curious to why they want to go that route instead of just watching it? Also, can the results change after lumpectomy even though i had a biopsy?

Thank you

MelissaDallas

Sal, in a small percentage of cases, I think around 10%,cancer (DCIS or invasive) may be found in proximity to the area, so they take it out just to make sure nothing worse is lurking around with it.

kellic1969

I was just diagnosed with radial scar. My doctor says it's benign, but I still have to have a stereostatic biopsy done in September. To those of you with radial scar, do you have pain? I certainly do. I'm guessing they will remove this eventually.