Dominance and nondominance of the radial scar/complex sclerosing lesion and associated pathology

Aim

To establish whether there is a significant difference in the pathology associated with radial scars (RS) or complex sclerosing lesions (CSL).

Patients and methods

RS or CSL were recorded in 178 specimens over a 17-year period. Three associated pathologies were noted – atypical hyperplasia, in situ malignancy and invasive carcinoma. The sclerosing lesions were categorised as to whether the RS/CSL was dominant (i.e. larger than the associated pathology) or nondominant (smaller than the associated pathology).

Results

Sixty-four patients (36%) had RS/CSL with associated pathology: atypical hyperplasia (17), in situ (24) or invasive (23) malignancy. There was a significant (P < 0.001, chi-square 17.5) difference in proportions for histological types between lesions where the RS/CSL was dominant and lesions where they were not. Lesions with a dominant RS/CSL were associated with significantly more in situ malignancy and atypical hyperplasia. Invasive carcinoma was associated with nondominant RS/CSL.

Conclusion

The nature of the associated pathology appears to be related to the dominance or nondominance of the RS/CSL.

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