LOBULAR BREAST CANCER IN SITU (LCIS)

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Written by : Dr.M.D.Mazumdar, MD

DIAGNOSIS OF LCIS

Breast Biopsy : The only definitive way to diagnose LCIS is by a breast biopsy. Clinically, it is difficult to diagnose LCIS. Like all other types of breast cancers, a lump or a suspicious area seen on a mammogram will need to undergo a breast biopsy for an accurate diagnosis. There are different types of breast biopsies.

Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy : This proocedure uses a very thin needle and syringe to remove either fluid from a cyst or clusters of cells from a solid mass. Removal of tissue from a small mass with a fine needle requires a great deal of expertise.
Core Needle Biopsy : This procedure uses a somewhat larger needle with a sharp cutting edge. A core of tissue is cut from from inside the mass. If the breast mass is quite large, as many as 15 samples, each about the size of a grain of rice, may be taken and sent to a lab for microscopic analysis.
Stereotactic Biopsy : This is a procedure in which tissue is removed from lumps which can be seen on a mammogram but cannot be felt on physical examination. It is done under the guidance of a mammogram or ultrasound. It helps in accurate localizing of the suspicious area.

Surgical Biopsy : In surgical biopsy, the suspicious area is first identified by mammogram. A needle is then inserted and fixed in the mass. Using this needle as a guide, the lump can be more accurately identified on the operating table and biopsied. If the lump is quite small, it may be completely removed - it is then called an excision biopsy.

Mammography, Ultrasound : These tests cannot identify LCIS.

Treatment of LCIS:

Treatment of LCIS is somewhat controversial. While some doctors advocate removal of the lump by surgery due to the slight risk of invasive breast cancer, others say that active treatment is not necessary.

Regular Checkups: Typically, people with LCIS will be advised to under regular checkups. This allows doctors to identify breast cancer at the earliest, most treatable stage, if it does occur. Checkups are done :
- Breast examination every 6 months.
- Mammogram every year.
Hormonal Treatments: Hormonal treatment may be offered to women with a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Hormones like Tamoxifen or anastrozole is usually prescribed. Tamoxifen reduces the risk of developing breast cancer in post-menopausal women who have been diagnosed with LCIS.
Surgery: Rarely, some patient with LCIS will choose to undergo a mastectomy. Although drastic, it has been proved to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in the future. These are generally women with a strong family history of breast cancer.

See Page 1 for:

Symptoms of Lobular Breast Cancer

Stages of Lobular Breast Cancer

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MORE TOPICS ON BREAST CANCER :

Breast Cancer Symptoms
Types of Breast Cancer
Hormone Therapy of Breast Cancer
Surgical Treatment
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
Risk Factors of Breast Cancer
Books on Breast Cancer
Assessing Breast Cancer

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