Invasive lobular carcinoma
is a form of breast cancer that forms primarily in the milk ducts, and may slowly spread to the surrounding tissue. According to the Mayo Clinic invasive lobular carcinoma is diagnosed in approximately 20,000 women in the United States each year. While it should still be considered a dangerous condition, patients suffering from invasive lobular carcinoma experience much higher recovery rates than other forms of breast cancer.
Skin Thickening
If you are experiencing symptoms of invasive lobular carcinoma, then one of the symptoms you may notice is that the skin on your breast may get hard in spots. It could be in one particular spot, it could be in a variety of spots, or it could be a few larger areas of the breast that are affected. Your skin will seem hard, and it may also have small pock marks or dimples in the affected area as well. The affected skin may take on the consistency of the skin of an orange or a grapefruit.
Swelling
You may begin to experience symptoms of breast swelling as a result of invasive lobular carcinoma. This swelling may be localized to specific areas of your breast, or you may notice a general swelling of one of your breasts. Most commonly you will experience swelling in random areas on your breast if it is a symptom of invasive lobular carcinoma. The area may feel as though it is filled with fluid, but it will not have the hard consistency of a lump.
Nipple
A common symptom of invasive lobular carcinoma is a nipple that is turned inward and is unable to become erect. This is referred to a nipple retraction.
Testing and Diagnosis
It is common for invasive lobular carcinoma to not have any detectable lumps associated with it, it tends to spread out over a larger region than other forms of breast cancer which normally confine themselves to areas identified by lumps. Because invasive lobular carcinoma tends to spread out, it is not always detected by a mammogram. The most effective way your doctor will use to detect invasive lobular carcinoma is through an initial physical examination where your doctor may feel an abnormality. Confirmation of the condition is usually made using an ultrasound and a biopsy with the biopsy being the definitive diagnosis.
Both Breasts
According to the Mayo Clinic, invasive lobular carcinoma differs itself from other forms of breast cancer because it is possible that a woman may have invasive lobular carcinoma in both breasts. The Mayo Clinic estimates that 2 out of every 10 women with invasive lobular carcinoma in one breast will also have the condition in the other breast.
Tags: lobular carcinoma, invasive lobular, invasive lobular carcinoma, breast cancer, forms breast, forms breast cancer