"Lobular Carcinoma"
In the breast there are structures called lobules. Milk is produced in the lobules in the breast. When the cells of the lobules become abnormal, and begin to multiply too much, lobular carcinoma – or cancer originating in the lobules develops.
The cancer has started in the lobules. From this point the cancer can 1. Remain in the lobules, or 2. Grow into another tissue in the breast (say the fatty tissue). In the first instance, the cancer is said to be “in situ”, or in place and has not travelled outside of the tissue that it first began growing in. In the second instance, the cancer is said to be invasive or infiltrating, as it has not only impacted the lobules, but the other parts of the breast and may potentially impact other parts of the body.
Cancer inside the lobules that has not broken through to other parts of the breast is called lobular carcinoma in situ or LCIS. LCIS is not considered a true cancer, however women who have LCIS are at high risk of developing an invasive breast cancer. LCIS is considered a precancerous condition.
When the cancer cells have invaded beyond the lobules into the other tissues in the breast or to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, then this cancer is called Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. This type of breast cancer accounts for about 10% to 15% of all breast cancers.
Two great websites that have very detailed information about Lobular carcinoma, both in situ and invasive are listed below.
The American Cancer Society, "What is Breast Cancer?"
http://www.cancer.org
Imaginis, The Women's Health Resource, "Breast Health."
http://www.imaginis.com
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