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Invasive Lobular Carcinoma

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Invasive Lobular Carcinoma

To be diagnosed with breast cancer is earth shattering. A woman who hears the prognosis from her doctor probably feels like her life is crumbling around her. Many, many women, however, survive the original diagnosis. And those who make informed decisions and have adequate support can maintain a good quality of life while battling the disease.

Ductal and Lobular, Invasive and In Situ
There are two main types of breast cancer, ductal and lobular. Ductal breast cancer is most common and occurs when cancerous cells grow in the ducts that run from breast to nipple. Lobular cancer occurs in the lobules of the breast, which produce milk. Either carcinoma may be invasive or in situ. In situ carcinomas are those that have not invaded other parts of the breast. Invasive carcinoma occurs when the tumor cells have migrated from their point of origin to other breast tissues.

Symptoms of Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
Invasive lobular carcinoma, or ILC, is a cancer with the potential to become metastatic. This means the tumor has already spread from its original position in the breast and could spread to other parts of the body as well. It is a diagnosis to be taken seriously and to be treated aggressively.

Cancer in the lobules of the breast is much less common than ductal carcinoma and is not easy to detect in its early stages. Unlike ductal tumors, lobular cancer does not produce a telltale lump. Symptoms to look for include a thickening in part of the breast, swelling or an unusual feeling of fullness in a breast, and a texture or appearance change in the skin in a breast.

Diagnosis
In the early stages of lobular carcinoma, when it is still in situ, the only way to detect it is to see abnormal cells under a microscope. For this reason, lobular carcinoma in situ is often detected during a biopsy for a breast lump. ILC can be detected when symptoms lead a woman to see her doctor.

To diagnose ILC, a doctor will perform a mammogram, do an ultrasound, or order an MRI. All are imaging techniques and the MRI may be the last option if the first two are inconclusive. If any of the images show an abnormality, the doctor will likely perform a biopsy to remove and test a tissue sample. Once the diagnosis of ILC has been made, the doctor will attempt to determine the extent to which the cancerous cells have invaded other parts of the body with more imaging.

Causes and Risk Factors
ILC begins when cells in the lobules of the breast develop mutations in their DNA. This causes the cells to grow and divide quickly. The growth within the lobule is called in situ carcinoma. When the cells from lobular carcinoma spread outwards, they tend to do so in a single file creating a web-like structure. At this point, the cancer has the potential to become metastatic.

Risk factors for ILC include age, a diagnosis of lobular carcinoma in situ, family history of breast cancer, and genetic markers. These factors are out of a woman’s control. Those who know they have risk factors can educate themselves and work towards prevention and early detection.

Prevention
To prevent the formation of ILC, women should maintain a generally healthy lifestyle. Avoiding over consumption of alcohol, exercising regularly, and keeping a healthy weight are good ways to prevent cancer of any type. Specifically for breast cancer, women who are candidates for hormone therapy should discuss the risks with their doctor before undertaking it. Hormones can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

Treatment
Because ILC is invasive and can become metastatic, treatment is often aggressive. One option is surgery to remove the cancerous tissue and a small portion of healthy tissue surrounding it. This allows the woman to keep most of her breast tissue intact. Some women may choose to undergo a mastectomy, which removes the whole breast. Lymph nodes under the arms may also need to be removed, as this is where the cancerous cells will spread first. A doctor will determine if the cancer is in the lymph nodes or not.

Another option is chemotherapy. This involves taking a drug that kills cancerous as well as healthy cells. It can be given intravenously or in pill form. Chemotherapy may be done before surgery to shrink the tumor. Side effects of chemotherapy can be very uncomfortable because the drug kills cells indiscriminately.

Radiation therapy uses a beam of X-rays focused on the carcinoma to kill cancerous cells. It is often used after surgery to kill any remaining tumor cells. Hormone therapy may be an option if the cancer is fueled by estrogen. If so, drugs can be used to block estrogen from getting to the tumor.

With a strong support group, information, and collaboration with a doctor, a diagnosis of ILC does not have to be devastating. Prevention, treatment, and support can give a woman with ILC a long and comfortable life.

Related Articles: 
Breast Cancer Pathophysiology
Breast Cancer Test Results: Tumor Cell Grade
The Different Types of Breast Cancer

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