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Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer

About 1 in 10 breast cancers diagnosed (10%) are invasive lobular carcinoma. This means that the cancer is growing in the cells that line the lobules of the breast. Invasive lobular cancer can develop in women of any age. But is most common in women between 45 and 55 years old. It is possible for men to get invasive lobular breast cancer, but this is very rare.

The types of cancer vary in their prognosis and the way in which they present. Lobular carcinoma (in situ and invasive) will be discussed here. The term 'in situ' refers to pre-invasive breast cancer. This is breast cancer which has not yet penetrated ('invaded') through the basement membrane (the membrane at the base of the epithelial lining of ducts or glands). In situ carcinoma has the potential to become invasive carcinoma, and so is treated as an early form of breast cancer. In the left-hand image below, you can see how the normal cells which form the lobules of the breast might look. In lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS, the image to the right), the lobular cells have developed the ability to multiply out of control - one of the characteristics of cancer. The cancerous cells have not yet spread beyond the lining of the lobule. This is known as LCIS.

Despite the fact that its name includes the term "carcinoma," LCIS is not a true breast cancer. Rather, LCIS is an indication that a person is at higher-than-average risk for getting breast cancer at some point in the future. For this reason, some experts prefer the term "lobular neoplasia" instead of "lobular carcinoma." A neoplasia is a collection of abnormal cells.

Invasive lobular breast cancer does not always show up as a firm lump. And it does not form the pattern on a mammogram called calcification. So it can be difficult to diagnose. Because of this, invasive lobular cancers may be larger than other types of breast cancer when they are diagnosed. You may have a thickened area of breast tissue instead of a definite lump. The tests for lobular breast cancer are the same as for ductal breast cancer.

LCIS is viewed as an uncommon condition, but we don't know exactly how many people are affected. That's because LCIS does not cause symptoms and usually does not show up on a mammogram. It tends to be diagnosed as a result of a biopsy performed on the breast for some other reason.

Invasive lobular breast cancer can sometimes be found in more than one area within the breast. If this is the case, it may not be possible to remove just the area of the cancer. You may be asked to have a mastectomy. If at all possible, your breast surgeon will offer you the choice of mastectomy or lumpectomy and radiotherapy.

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