Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS) Causes, Symptoms, Diangosis and Treatment

What Is Lobular Carcinoma In Situ ?

Lobular carcinoma in situ is an area marked by abnormal cell growth. It is known to increase the affected individual’s risk of developing invasive breast cancer.

It occurs in the lobules of the breast which are the milk producing glands at the end of the breast ducts. More than one lobule may get affected as a result of lobular carcinoma in situ.

Lobular carcinoma in situ is typically found in a breast biopsy conducted due to other medical conditions.

A rare condition, Lobular carcinoma in situ is hard to diagnose itself since it does not show up on mammograms, the normal diagnostic test for cancer related condition.

As the name suggests, the abnormal cell growth is limited to the affected location and does not spread to other parts of the body.

Usually, those affected by lobular carcinoma in situ are those who have not yet developed menopause.

Up to 40% of women who develop lobular carcinoma in situ go on to develop invasive breast cancer. Such cancer tends to begin in milk ducts rather than lobules.

Causes Of Lobular Carcinoma In Situ:

The underlying cause of lobular carcinoma in situ is not fully understood. However, the mechanism is known.

It starts with a genetic mutation in the lobule which may cause the cells of the affected location to appear abnormal. The abnormal cell growth does not spread to other parts of the body and is limited to the lobules.

Neither is lobular carcinoma in situ a form of cancer, nor does it develops into one. However, it may increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

Possible risk factors may include:

family history of breast cancer
Having undertaken hormone replacement therapy for menopause.
Age of early 40s

Symptoms Of Lobular Carcinoma In Situ:

There are no signs and symptoms exhibited by those who develop lobular carcinoma in situ. This is the reason as to why most diagnoses of lobular carcinoma in situ are accidental and made while trying to diagnose some other condition.