Lobular breast cancer, also known as invasive lobular carcinoma, is a rare form of breast cancer that begins in the breast lobules (milk-producing glands).
Lobular breast cancer is considered invasive because cancer cells break away from the lobule and have the potential to spread of other areas of the body. This process is called metastasis.
Unlike most other types of breast cancer, lobular breast cancer doesn’t usually form a lump in the breast. Instead, it usually causes the tissue to thicken and create fullness in one area of the breast. Like other types of breast cancer, the lobular form can also be detected by a change in texture or appearance on the skin covering the breast. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor.
Tests to check for lobular breast cancer include:
- mammograms
- ultrasounds
- magnetic imaging
- tissue sampling
Risk Factors
There is no known cause of lobular breast cancer. However, abnormal cells in the lobule (lobular carcinoma in situ) are early indicators of an increased risk of lobular breast cancer. Along with the in situ cells, other risk factors for lobular breast cancer are:
- being an older woman
- using postmenopausal hormone supplements
- having a presence of a rare inherited condition known as inherited genetic cancer syndrome
Lobular breast cancer is treated like other types of cancer. Breast cancer treatments may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.
