Which finding is helpful to differentiate postsurgical breast scarring from a recurrent tumor?

Postsurgical breast scarring may appear hypoechoic and irregular but typically shows no internal vascularity on Doppler imaging. In contrast, recurrent tumors generally exhibit increased internal vascular flow due to neovascularization. Therefore, absent Doppler signal helps suggest scar tissue rather than malignancy.

According to Stavros’ Breast Ultrasound:

“The absence of internal Doppler flow favors scar tissue, whereas recurrent malignancy typically demonstrates internal vascularity.”