Diagnosed with Radial scar, i.e. CSL. Now what?

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Cheyenne01
Cheyenne01 Member Posts: 2
edited April 2018 in Benign Breast Conditions

Hi - just joined the forum looking for advice from those that have had my similar situation. I am 53, in menopause, never had a mammogram come back badly where I had to get a 2nd one. Had a stereotactic biopsy to check the area. Diagnosed with a benign (non-cancerous) radial scar. The imaging doctor who did the biopsy said I should have the small area removed within a month and that 90% of the time the tissue comes back with nothing else to worry about. My OB/GYN I've gone to for over 10 years says I don't need another surgery to remove the area and just go back in 1 year for another mammogram, but gave me the name of a breast surgeon to consult.

Need advice - i have so many questions.. What kind of surgeon should I do a consult with - one that is familiar with cancer and breast surgery (like an oncologist), should I get a 2nd opinion, will I get cancer if I don't remove this small area.. feel frustrated and scared. If the likelihood is 10% that it comes back with an issue, why are they requesting I get this removed? I don't know if I should go through this surgery if I don't need it, but also want to prevent any issues.

I wonder how many women have had to go through this radial scar removal, and what % of them ended up having issues after. If any of you wonderful ladies have any input I sure would appreciate it. Thanks.

Comments

  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited March 2018

    I was also diagnosed with a radial scar and atypical ductal hyperplasia, and had an area about the size of a walnut removed 10 days ago. I met with a breast surgeon after my abnormal mammogram, and she is the one who performed the surgery. She explained that the recommended course of action is to have it removed in the event it wasn’t carrying any malignant cells.

    Luckily my results were benign. I’m meeting with an oncologist in two weeks to for a consultation. I’m not planning to start tamoxifen, but I want to make sure I have all the info I can get my hands on

  • Cheyenne01
    Cheyenne01 Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2018

    Thank you so much for your reply. This dashboard/forum has educated me and provided me input from those that have had similar diagnosis. I have a surgical consult on Monday. Not looking forward to possible surgery and costs, but hoping for the best and NO more to do. God bless!

  • beach2beach
    beach2beach Member Posts: 996
    edited March 2018

    I had a radial scar in my left breast diagnosed from a biopsy after being seen on an ultrasound. My radiologist told me they recommend it being taken out and to contact a breast surgeon. The breast surgeon advised that in a small percentage of cases cancer can be found near the area and to take it out. Wound up that my right breast had breast cancer but my surgeon told me after my surgery that my left, where the radial scar had been, had no evidence of cancer. They are just being super cautious. I'd try to think of it as that if there happens to be something there, that they have caught it early. It is surgery, I know.

    Good luck, hoping it all comes back benign for you.

  • BirthGiver
    BirthGiver Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2018

    I just had my surgery today. Praying & trusting it will still come back benign. But this is all too scary. Surgery was on the right breast but I feel uncomfortable on my left breast.

    My initial mammo didn't find anything on my left. Which I'm glad but worriessome.

    Now the wait for my follow up.

    Sorry if this is not encouraging to you but I just needed to express my thoughts.


  • Hadiya
    Hadiya Member Posts: 37
    edited March 2018

    I had a large architectural distortion on mammogram ~ they said it was either cancerous or a complex sclerosing lesion (large radial scar). They wanted to do a biopsy but I opted for checking it by MRI first. The MRI showed that my breast was completely clear. They couldn't see the 3.8 cm distortion at all. I'm completely out of the BC system now. So... I hope this brings you a bit of hope! Believe in miracles! All best to you!


  • Mechq
    Mechq Member Posts: 19
    edited April 2018

    I had a lumpectomy for PASH and a radial scar. They removed 5 cm and found atypical Lobular Hyperplasia. The protocol I believe for radial scar is to remove it because it is a marker for developing breast cancer later on. It also will allow them to further test the tissue.

  • Mechq
    Mechq Member Posts: 19
    edited April 2018

    I had a lumpectomy for PASH and a radial scar. They removed 5 cm and found atypical Lobular Hyperplasia. The protocol I believe for radial scar is to remove it because it is a marker for developing breast cancer later on. It also will allow them to further test the tissue. I was given the option to do an MRI before surgery and I wish I had. I just figured it had to come out either way, now I will have to wait six months for one after they found the alh. I don't understand why they would not order one before surgery since they radial scar and ALH are markers for breast cancer.

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