Radial sclerosing lesions found on core needle biopsy: Excision can be safely avoided Journal Article


Authors: Grabenstetter, A.; Brennan, S. B.; Jochelson, M. S.; Brogi, E.; Morrow, M.; Tan, L. K.; D'Alfonso, T. M.
Article Title: Radial sclerosing lesions found on core needle biopsy: Excision can be safely avoided
Abstract: Aims: Radial sclerosing lesions (RSLs) are benign breast lesions composed of glandular and epithelial proliferations with stellate architecture and fibro-elastotic stroma, which can mimic invasive carcinoma on imaging. Surgical management following a core biopsy diagnosis of RSLs remains controversial. Methods and results: We retrospectively identified core biopsies with RSLs without atypia who underwent subsequent surgical excision between 2015 and 2021. All core biopsy slides were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis. Imaging was reviewed to determine radiological–pathological concordance. An upgrade was defined as invasive carcinoma or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in the excision. The final cohort consisted of 130 core biopsies from 124 women (median age = 52 years, range = 27–76). The imaging modality was mammogram in 52 (40%) cases, MRI in 52 (40%) and ultrasound in 26 (20%). One hundred and seven (82%) core biopsies were vacuum-assisted and 23 (18%) were ultrasound-guided without vacuum assistance. The median lesion size on imaging was 9 mm (range = 2–41). Overall, two (1%) cases were upgraded at excision, including one microinvasive lobular carcinoma and one 2 mm focus of invasive mammary carcinoma with associated DCIS. In both cases, the upgraded foci of carcinoma were not closely associated with the biopsy site and were considered incidental upgrades. Conclusions: This study adds to the body of literature supporting observation, rather than routine excision of radial sclerosing lesions without atypia. © 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Keywords: adult; controlled study; human tissue; aged; middle aged; excision; retrospective studies; major clinical study; clinical feature; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; breast; cohort analysis; pathology; diagnostic imaging; breast neoplasms; retrospective study; mammography; breast tumor; breast carcinoma; diagnosis; echography; needle biopsy; surgery; invasive carcinoma; carcinoma, intraductal, noninfiltrating; sclerosis; calcification; breast lesion; atypical ductal hyperplasia; radial scar; clinical outcome; lobular carcinoma; procedures; upgrade; biopsy, large-core needle; large core needle biopsy; invasive breast cancer; humans; human; female; article; mri guided biopsy; ductal breast carcinoma in situ; complex sclerosing lesion; high-risk breast lesion; radial sclerosing lesion
Journal Title: Histopathology
Volume: 85
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0309-0167
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell  
Date Published: 2024-09-01
Start Page: 397
End Page: 404
Language: English
DOI: 10.1111/his.15233
PUBMED: 38845392
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC11305922
DOI/URL:
Notes: The MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) is acknowledged in the PubMed record and PDF. Corresponding MSK author is Anne Grabenstetter-- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Monica Morrow
    772 Morrow
  2. Lee K Tan
    147 Tan
  3. Maxine Jochelson
    135 Jochelson
  4. Sandra B Brennan
    40 Brennan
  5. Edi Brogi
    516 Brogi