Body Part - Breast
RADIAL SCAR
Also called ‘complex sclerosing lesion.’ This is not a scar, and it is not caused by surgery or trauma to the breast. This can look like cancer on breast imaging studies, but it is non-cancerous. It should be surgically removed because it can be associated with atypical ductal hyperplasia (see separate entry) or cancer.
RIM CALCIFICATION
These look like white ovals or circles on mammograms. These are likely not cancerous. These can be associated with cysts or fat necrosis. These are also known as “egg shell calcifications”.
ROD-SHAPED CALCIFICATIONS
Calcifications that indicate secretory disease, a benign process. They are white on a mammogram. They are shaped like broken pieces of uncooked spaghetti noodles.
ROUND CALCIFICATION
A calcification that is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm in size.
SCARRING
This usually happens after breast surgery. The typical scarring can be seen on the skin. Underneath the skin, the usual arrangement (pattern) of the glandular tissue can be distorted. This is also call archetictural distortion.
SCATTERED AREAS OF FIBROGLANDULAR DENSITY
This phrase is used in the standard sentence, “There are scattered areas of fibroglandular density.” It means that the breast is composed of 25%-50% glandular tissue. Cancer looks like a white spot on a mammogram. Normal glandular tissue is also white on a mammogram. When there is more glandular tissue in the breast, cancer is harder to see/detect.
As an analogy, imagine trying to spot a white bear when it is snowing outside (in the North Pole). If it is snowing lightly, the white bear should be easy to detect. If there is a raging snow storm (blizzard), the white bear will be difficult to detect.
Back to the mammogram…When there is 25%-50% glandular tissue, cancer can be “hidden” in the glandular tissue, but often , cancer will be detected, if it is present.
SEBACEOUS CYST
A pocket filled with keratin. It is within or just underneath the skin. It can be simply thought of as a “zit”. It is not cancerous.
SECRETORY DISEASE
Benign process of the breast that causes rod-shaped calcifications. Please see “rod-shaped calcifications”.
SEROMA
A cystic mass containing blood plasma. This is often seen after surgery. This is not cancerous.
SILICONE GRANULOMA
Masses in the breast that are caused by the body’s reaction to liquid silicone that has leaked out of a breast implant. These masses are not cancerous.
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