Invasive Lobular Carcinoma – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Invasive lobular carcinoma is a less common form of breast cancer. It starts in the breast’s lobules, which are milk-producing glands.
What makes this cancer “invasive” is that the abnormal cells break through the lobule walls and infiltrate surrounding breast tissue.
This invasion allows cancer cells to potentially spread to lymph nodes and other body parts.
While invasive lobular carcinoma accounts for a smaller percentage of breast cancer diagnoses, it’s important to distinguish it from invasive ductal carcinoma. Invasive ductal carcinoma starts in the breast ducts and represents the more prevalent type of breast cancer.
- Origin: Milk-producing lobules.
- Spread pattern: Breaks through lobule walls.
- Risk: Can spread to lymph nodes and beyond.
- Frequency: Less common than ductal carcinoma.
Signs and Symptoms
Invasive lobular carcinoma may not show early signs. As it grows, you might notice:
- Changes in breast skin texture, like dimpling or thickening
- New swelling or fullness in part of the breast
- Nipple that has become inverted
- Thickened area in the breast
Unlike other breast cancers, invasive lobular carcinoma rarely causes a firm or clearly defined breast lump.
When To Consult a Healthcare Provider
Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any breast changes. Watch for skin puckering, unusual skin appearance, thickened areas under the skin, lumps, or nipple discharge.
Ask your provider about when to begin breast cancer screening and how often you should have it. Most healthcare providers suggest starting regular breast cancer screening in your 40s.
Causes
Invasive lobular carcinoma develops when DNA changes occur in cells within the milk-producing glands of the breast. These DNA alterations disrupt normal cell functions in important ways:
- Normal cells follow DNA instructions to grow at specific rates
- Healthy cells die when programmed to do so
- Cancer cells receive altered instructions that change these patterns
When DNA mutations happen, the affected cells begin to multiply rapidly and don’t die when they should. This results in an accumulation of abnormal cells.
Unlike other breast cancers that form distinct lumps, invasive lobular carcinoma has a different growth pattern. The cancer cells tend to:
- Spread out through breast tissue
- Create a thickening or fullness rather than a firm lump
- Cause areas that feel different from surrounding tissue
This spreading pattern makes invasive lobular carcinoma sometimes harder to detect through traditional breast exams. The affected area typically feels like a thickening rather than a distinct mass that can be easily felt.
Despite ongoing research, the exact trigger for these DNA changes remains unknown.
Risk Factors
Several factors may increase your chances of developing invasive lobular carcinoma and other types of breast cancer:
Family and Personal History
- Having a parent, sibling, or child with breast cancer raises your risk
- Risk increases with family members who have breast cancer at young ages
- Previous breast cancer in one breast increases risk in the other breast
- Certain breast conditions like LCIS or atypical hyperplasia indicate higher risk
Hormonal and Reproductive Factors
- Starting menstruation before age 12
- Beginning menopause after age 55
- Having a first child after age 30
- Never having been pregnant
Biological Factors
- Being female (though breast cancer can affect anyone)
- Having dense breast tissue, which contains more glandular and fibrous tissue than fatty tissue
- Inherited DNA changes, particularly mutations in BRCA2 and CDH1 genes
- Older age (invasive lobular carcinoma typically occurs at older ages than other breast cancers)
Lifestyle Factors
- Alcohol consumption increases risk
- Obesity raises breast cancer risk
Medical and Environmental Factors
- Taking hormone therapy that combines estrogen and progesterone for menopause symptoms
- Previous radiation exposure to the chest area, especially during childhood or young adulthood
Dense breast tissue not only increases risk but can make detection more difficult on standard mammograms. If you have dense breasts, your healthcare provider might recommend additional screening tests beyond mammograms.
The CDH1 gene mutation is particularly associated with invasive lobular carcinoma and also increases risk for stomach cancer. It’s linked to a rare inherited condition called hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome.
While hormone therapy with combined estrogen and progesterone increases breast cancer risk, this risk typically decreases after stopping these medications.
Remember that having risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll definitely develop breast cancer. Many people with several risk factors never develop the disease, while others with no apparent risk factors do.
How to Reduce Your Risk
Get Regular Breast Cancer Screenings
Talk with your healthcare provider about when you should start breast cancer screening. Each person has different needs based on their risk factors.
Together, you can weigh the benefits and risks of various screening tests and create a plan that works for you. Regular screenings can help find cancer early when it’s most treatable.
Learn How Your Breasts Normally Feel
Getting to know how your breasts normally look and feel can help you notice changes. Consider doing occasional self-exams to become familiar with your breast tissue.
If you spot anything unusual—like a new lump, skin changes, or nipple discharge—contact your healthcare provider right away. While breast awareness can’t prevent cancer, it may help you detect problems earlier.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
When it comes to breast cancer prevention, there is no completely safe level of alcohol. If possible, avoid alcohol altogether.
If you do drink, try to limit yourself to no more than one drink per day. Even small amounts of alcohol may increase cancer risk.
Stay Physically Active
Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Regular physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight and may reduce breast cancer risk.
If you haven’t been active recently, check with your healthcare provider before starting a new exercise routine, and begin slowly.
Be Cautious with Hormone Therapy
Combination hormone therapy for menopause may increase breast cancer risk. If you need relief from menopause symptoms, discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider.
When hormone therapy is necessary, use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible to minimize risks.
Keep a Healthy Weight
Maintain a healthy weight throughout your life. Excess body weight, especially after menopause, has been linked to an increased breast cancer risk. If you need to lose weight:
- Focus on healthy eating habits
- Reduce calorie intake gradually
- Increase physical activity
- Ask your healthcare provider for guidance
Discuss Your Cancer Risk
If breast cancer runs in your family or you’re concerned about your risk level, talk with your healthcare provider. They can assess your personal risk factors and recommend appropriate screening schedules.
They can also discuss preventive medications if appropriate, and consider genetic testing options. Lastly, they can explain preventive surgery options for high-risk individuals.
