Invasive lobular
breast cancer
This section discusses the main aspects of invasive lobular
breast cancer. We recommend that you read it with Action Breast Cancer’s
booklet Understanding Cancer of the Breast . We hope that it helps
you to discuss any questions you may have with your cancer specialist
or breast care nurse and to be involved in your treatment plan.
Sections
What is invasive lobular breast cancer?
What are the symptoms?
How is a diagnosis made?
What treatment will I be offered?
Coping with breast cancer
Further Support
Help from Action Breast Cancer
What is invasive lobular breast cancer?
Breast tissue is made up of ducts and lobules where milk is made,
stored and carried through to the nipple during breastfeeding.
Breast cancer starts when a single cell in the breast begins
to divide and grow in an abnormal way. Put very simply, invasive
lobular breast cancer starts in cells that make up the lobules
at the end of the ducts.
Invasive lobular breast cancer is uncommon, and affects about 10-15%
of all women with breast cancer. It can occur at any age, but more
commonly affects women in the 45-55 year age group. Men can also
get invasive lobular breast cancer but this is very rare.
Invasive lobular breast cancer is generally no more serious than
other types of breast cancer. However, it is sometimes found in
both breasts at the same time and there is also a slightly greater
risk of it occurring in the opposite breast at a later date.
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What are the symptoms?
Unlike other forms of breast cancer, invasive lobular cancer is
more likely to show up as a thickening of the breast tissue rather
than a definite hard lump. Because the symptoms can be vague,
these cancers may sometimes grow to a larger size than other
breast cancers before they are picked up.
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How is a diagnosis made?
Once your GP has referred you to a specialist, certain tests may
be done to help make the diagnosis. They include , ultrasound scan, and needle
core biopsy. For further information about these tests see our
booklet Understanding Cancer of the Breast .
If you have any of these symptoms tell your GP as you may need
a course of antibiotics, which should resolve the infection and
discomfort.
Invasive lobular breast cancer can sometimes be difficult to diagnose.
This is because it is less likely to present as a firm lump and
is therefore not easy to feel. It is also more difficult to see
on a mammogram. This is because the
that may be seen on a mammogram with other types of breast cancer
are not usually formed by invasive lobular cancers.
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What treatment will I be offered?
Surgery
As for most types of breast cancer, surgery will be the first treatment.
This may be wide or .
You will usually be given a choice between these two types of surgery.
If a wide local excision is possible there is a chance that a second
operation may be necessary to make sure that a clear enough area
of tissue around the lump is taken. In some cases, to get a clear
area of tissue it may be necessary for the whole breast to be removed.
Invasive lobular cancer can sometimes affect more than one area
within the breast. If this is the case the surgeon may recommend
a mastectomy.
It is important to find out whether the cancer has spread to the
lymph nodes in the . The surgeon
may remove some of the or all of
them (lymph node clearance). This will help to find out whether you need any further treatment such as chemotherapy .
Adjuvant treatment
These are treatments given in addition to surgery and include chemotherapy,
radiotherapy and hormone therapy. The aim of adjuvant treatment
is to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back in the
, the opposite breast or elsewhere in the body.
If you have a wide local excision you will usually be offered radiotherapy
to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back in the same breast.
If you have a mastectomy you may not need radiotherapy. For more
general information call the National Cancer Freefone Helpline
on 1800 200 700 and ask for our booklet on Radiotherapy .
In some cases chemotherapy is recommended, for example if the
cancer has spread to the lymph glands in the armpit. For further
information see our booklet Understanding Cancer of the Breast .
You may be offered the hormone therapy drug tamoxifen if your
tumour is oestrogen receptor positive, which means that it depends
on the hormone oestrogen for growth. Most invasive lobular cancers
are oestrogen receptor positive. For further information call National Cancer’s Freefone Helpline on 1800 200 700 and ask
for our Tamoxifen factsheet.
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Targeted Therapies
There are some newer drugs available, which may also be
prescribed for you called targeted therapies. These drugs
work by blocking the growth and spread of cancer by
changing the biology of cancer cells. The most well known is a drug called Herceptin
(Trastuzumab). This one is only suitable for people whose
cancer has high levels of Her2, a protein that encourages cancer cell growth.
Most invasive lobular cancers are oestrogen receptor positive.
For further information call the National Cancer Helpline
on freefone 1800 200 700 and ask for our factsheets on the
hormone treatments available.
Coping with breast cancer
Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be a very anxious and frightening
time. Having an uncommon type of cancer may add to your anxiety.
Remember that there are people who can support you so don’t
be afraid to ask for help. You can let other people know how you
are feeling, particularly your family and friends, so that they
can be more supportive. It can also help to discuss your feelings
or worries with your breast care nurse or specialist. Alternatively
a counsellor or psychotherapist might be more appropriate if you
want to talk through your feelings in more depth over a period
of time. Your breast care nurse, specialist or GP can arrange this.
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Further Support
You might find it easier to share your feelings with someone who
has had a similar experience to you. Reach to Recovery is a programme
set up to help and support women who have recently had a breast
cancer diagnosis. The programme works on the principle of personal
contact between the patient and a Reach to Recovery volunteer – a
woman who has had treatment for breast cancer. Carefully selected
and fully trained volunteers are available to provide advice and
reassurance at a time when a woman is most in need of both. For
more information on individual support or support groups in your
area, call the National Cancer Freefone Helpline on 1800 200 700.
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Help from Action Breast Cancer
Action Breast Cancer is a national project established by the Irish
Cancer Society to provide breast cancer information and support
and to fund breast cancer research. Its services are free, confidential
and accessible.
For more information call the National Cancer Freefone Helpline
on 1800 200 700.
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ABC would like to thank Breast Cancer Care in the UK for their
permission to adapt the text in this factsheet from their series
of factsheets. |
