
Lobular breast cancer, also known as invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), is a type of breast cancer that originates in the milk-producing lobules of the breast. Distinguished from the more common invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), which begins in the milk ducts, ILC typically presents with a unique pattern of spread and growth. ILC is the second most common form of breast cancer and accounts for about 10% to 15% of all breast cancers.
Most commonly diagnosed in older women, although it can occur at any age, ILC is often challenging to detect due to its diffuse nature. The treatment and prognosis for lobular breast cancer generally align with other types of breast cancer, involving a combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy, depending on the individual case.
Continue reading to learn how lobular breast cancer is different from other forms of breast cancer, its connections with genetic mutations, and how ILC is diagnosed and treated.
How is lobular breast cancer different from other subtypes of breast cancer?
Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is a type of breast cancer that is recognized as biologically distinct from the more common invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC).