Lobular carcinoma

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Lobular carcinoma
Micrograph of lobular carcinoma
Synonyms
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Breast lump, breast pain, nipple discharge
Complications	Metastasis
Onset
Duration
Types	Invasive lobular carcinoma, Lobular carcinoma in situ
Causes
Risks	Family history, genetic mutations (e.g., BRCA1, BRCA2)
Diagnosis	Mammography, biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Ductal carcinoma, fibroadenoma
Prevention	Regular screening, prophylactic mastectomy
Treatment	Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy
Medication	Tamoxifen, Aromatase inhibitors
Prognosis
Frequency
Deaths

Lobular carcinoma is a type of breast cancer that begins in the milk-producing glands (lobules) of the breast. It is the second most common type of breast cancer, after invasive ductal carcinoma. Lobular carcinoma can occur at any age, but it most often affects women older than 60.

Types

There are two types of lobular carcinoma: lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). LCIS is a condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lobules of the breast. ILC is a cancer that has spread from the lobules to surrounding normal tissue.

Symptoms

Symptoms of lobular carcinoma can include a lump or thickening in the breast, changes to the skin or nipple, and pain or tenderness in the breast. However, many cases of lobular carcinoma do not cause any symptoms and are only detected during routine mammography.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of lobular carcinoma typically involves a combination of physical examination, mammography, and biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed from the breast and examined under a microscope.

Treatment

Treatment for lobular carcinoma depends on the stage of the disease, the patient's overall health, and personal preferences. Options may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy.

Prognosis

The prognosis for lobular carcinoma varies depending on the stage of the disease and the patient's overall health. However, with early detection and treatment, many people with lobular carcinoma can live a normal life span.

See also

• Breast cancer
• Mammography
• Biopsy