Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is an area, or several areas, where there are abnormal cell growth, which could result in an invasive breast cancer at a later date. The abnormal cell growth begins in the milk glands, which are the lobules in the breast. The abnormal growth remains in its original site (in situ) inside the lobules. However, there are usually more than one lobule affected. Even though this condition carries the name carcinoma, it is not really a true cancer, but is a strong indicator that a carcinoma will occur later in life. Some researchers prefer to call the condition a lobular neoplasia meaning collection of abnormal cells rather than a lobular carcinoma.

LCIS is very rarely found in men. It is usually diagnosed in women between the ages of 40 and 50. However, about 10 percent of women will be diagnosed with lobular carcinoma in situ after menopause. Lobular carcinoma in situ appears to be a rare condition, but that could be because there are no symptoms, and it does not show up on a mammogram. It is mostly discovered when a biopsy of the breast is ordered for another condition.

Breast cancer risk

Lobular carcinoma in situ sufferers are at a high risk for developing breast cancer later on in life and for this reason cancer researchers view this condition as a strong marker for breast cancer. The cancers that follow this condition are invasive lobular carcinoma or invasive Ductal (milk ducts) carcinoma. Both of these carcinomas will spread to other parts of the breast and body. The chances that women would contract invasive breast cancer in their lives times are about 12 percent, however if these women already had lobular carcinoma in situ that figure increases to about 30 to 40 percent. Other studies point the chances that 21 percent of previous lobular carcinoma in situ sufferers will develop invasive breast cancer within 15 years of their diagnosis. Women who have had this kind breast cancer will always be on alert for breast cancer for the rest of their lives.

Diagnosing

Lobular carcinoma in situ is often found unexpectedly. There are no symptoms for this disease in which to alert women or their doctors. A routine mammogram does not pick up the condition because there are no calcification specks within the cells to indicate that a cancer is present. It is only when a biopsy is performed when the doctor is looking for other conditions, that lobular carcinoma in situ is found.

Biopsies are performed in the following ways:

A fine needle biopsy is a procedure where a very small shallow needle is inserted to test a few cells. This procedure does not leave a scar. The core needle biopsy is a larger needle, which is inserted to remove even more cells. This procedure will leave a small scar. An incisional biopsy will remove a small piece of tissue for examination and an excisional biopsy will remove an entire lump in the breast (lumpectomy).

Lobular carcinoma in situ resembles an actual breast cancer called Ductal carcinoma in situ, a condition that requires surgery and radiation treatment afterward. It is easy to mistake the two. You would want to ask your doctor why you were given the lobular carcinoma in situ diagnosis and not Ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosis. You may even want to get a second opinion.

Lobular carcinoma in situ is often multifocal meaning that more than one location is involved and that often means that both breasts can be affected. About a third of all cases reported include both breasts. Lobular carcinoma in situ is not a cancer though it is often referred to as stage 0, like Ductal carcinoma in situ, this means the cancer is at the earliest stage possible.

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