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Aschoff's proliferative centre

Dr Yuranga Weerakkody and Stefano Pacifici et al.

An Aschoff’s proliferative centre (CPA) also sometimes known as a radial scar is not really a scar, but an idiopathic entity not correlated with past trauma

It histologically presents single or multiple areas of proliferative adenosis which branch off from an area of fibroelastosis, often associated with areas of atypical epithelial hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma, lobular or tubular. It has a central core consisting of sclerotic connective tissue and elastin. Ductal structures entrapped in the center have an intact sclerotic mioepiteliale layer, that is the most important feature to distinguish it from tubular carcinoma. At the periphery there are distorted ducts and lobules consisting of benign proliferation, such as sclerosing adenosis, ductal hyperplasia, papillary features ¹.

Radiographic features

At mammography CPA has the appearance of a spiculated density, usually small in size, with long, thin spicules which radiate from a radiolucent center (black star) or radio-opaque (white star), rarely with associated microcalcifications ², but never with skin infiltration.