Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS) is somewhat of a misnomer in that it is not a cancer, but a “pre-malignant” condition in which there are abnormal cells present in the glands (lobules) of the breast. Patients who have been diagnosed with LCIS do not have cancer, but are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than the general population. For this reason they require closer observation and shorter intervals between screening mammograms. In patients with a strong family history of breast cancer, or those at very high risk, hormonal therapy with Tamoxifen may be used to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer. Surgery is generally not performed for LCIS alone.
Interestingly, patients with LCIS who develop invasive cancer usually develop invasive ductal cancer of the breast. Also, 40% of patients with LCIS who develop invasive cancer may develop cancer in both breasts. For this reason a prophylactic mastectomy of the normal breast is often performed at the time of mastectomy for the diseased breast in patients with LCIS who have developed invasive cancer.
Related articles
- Breast Tissue Changes that Increase Risk (everydayhealth.com)
- How to Know if You are at Risk for Breast Cancer
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