Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is breast cancer that begins in one of the glands that make milk, called lobules, and spreads to other parts
of the breast. It’s the second most common form of breast cancer after invasive ductal carcinoma, which begins in a milk
duct. It’s different from lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). That’s another type of abnormal cell growth in the breast that stays inside the lobules. ILC is more likely to be found in both breasts than other types of breast cancer. It can also spread to other areas of your body. You might not notice symptoms at first. If you do, they can include: Experts aren’t sure exactly what causes breast
cancer. It happens when cells change and start to grow out of control. Things that can make ILC more likely include: Your doctor will start with a physical
exam of your breasts and nearby lymph nodes. If they feel any problems like thickening, hardening, or swelling, you may have tests including: Treatment for ILC involves one or more methods. Surgery and radiation
therapy are local treatments, meaning they focus on the area of the cancer. Systemic treatments, like chemotherapy and hormone therapy, target any cancer cells that may have spread. Surgery Most women with invasive lobular carcinoma have surgery. Depending on the size of your tumor and how much it’s spread, you may have one of two types: Your doctor may take
samples from the lymph nodes in your armpits to check for cancer. They might also remove the lymph nodes. These procedures are called sentinel lymph node biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection. Radiation therapy High-energy radiation can destroy cancer cells that may be left behind after surgery. Your doctor may use a machine to deliver the energy from outside your body (external) or insert radioactive seeds or pellets into your body near where the cancer was
removed (internal). Chemotherapy Chemotherapy, or “chemo,” is when your doctor uses one or more medicines to kill cancer cells. You may get them before surgery to shrink a tumor or afterward to destroy any remaining cells. They come in pills that you swallow and in liquid that goes directly into your bloodstream (intravenous, or IV). Drugs that can treat ILC include: Hormone therapy ILC cells often have receptors for the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Receptors are special proteins that help the hormones tell cells to grow and divide. Hormone therapy drugs for ILC lower the amount of estrogen in your body or keep it from telling cancer cells to grow. Common ones include:
A protein called HER2 can also tell cancer cells to grow. Other medicines target this protein or its receptors. Treatment side effects You may notice side effects during or after cancer treatment. For example, chemotherapy can cause:
Radiation may cause:
Before you start treatment, talk with your medical team about what to expect. Let them know if you notice any side effects. Some treatments may be available to help you feel better. Outlook for Invasive Lobular CarcinomaCancer affects everyone differently. Your outlook may depend on things like how early you’re diagnosed and how well your body responds to treatment. In general, about 90% of all women with breast cancer live at least 5 years after diagnosis. While there isn’t much information about specific types of breast cancer, these survival rates are tracked by stage at diagnosis or how far the cancer has spread:
Is invasive lobular cancer aggressive?The good news is that ILC tends to be slow-growing and responsive to hormonal treatment. But it also tends to metastasize aggressively, so early detection is important. The best path to early detection involves regular mammograms and reporting any changes you notice in your breasts to your doctor immediately.
Where does lobular breast cancer spread first?While ductal spreads to the liver, lungs, bones, and brain, lobular tends to go to the bones and ovaries or enmesh itself in the gastrointestinal tract, the abdominal lining, or the tissue around the kidneys and ureters. But lobular survivors aren't always aware of this oddball spread pattern.
Is lobular breast cancer more likely to recur?Lobular breast cancer can recur and metastasize many years after diagnosis and treatment, so it is important to be aware of metastatic symptoms.
Is Chemo Effective for invasive lobular carcinoma?Chemotherapy does not improve long-term survival outcomes in patients with early-stage invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), according to a meta-analysis published in Clinical Breast Cancer. The meta-analysis authors noted that ILCs typically respond poorly to chemotherapy.
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