Is there a pre-invasive form of ILC?

Rabbit_fan
Rabbit_fan Member Posts: 166

I've never been clear on this and am just kind of curious about it and wonder if anyone knows.

IDC is DCIS that's become invasive, right?  And DCIS is considered cancer.

But LCIS is not considered to be cancer.  Is ILC a similar progression of LCIS that has become invasive, or is ILC something separate from LCIS and is invasive in nature from the get go and really has no in situ phase?

Thanks,

Rabbit fan

Comments

  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited February 2010

    I asked my onc this exact same question, and she said that they really don't know the pathways for ILC. Some of it arises from DCIS, some of it from LCIS and some of it does not have an in situ component. Interestingly, she said that the same holds true for IDC--not all cases arise directly from DCIS.

  • Rabbit_fan
    Rabbit_fan Member Posts: 166
    edited February 2010

    Hmm, interesting.  I sure wish they knew more about it.

    Thanks for your quick answer, Nash.  This board is such a great resource- there's almost always someone who has the same questions as you!

  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2010

    There is good information about LCIS on this website - go to Symptoms and Diagnosis up the top of this page. I had extensive LCIS and was told is not the same as DCIS.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    When I was diagnosed with classic LCIS, I was told it could develop into invasive.  Basically 1 in 4 would develop into invasive.  However when I was diagnosed with PLCIS, I was led to believe that it almost certainly would develop into invasive.  In my case they were right.  After I had excisional to try to get clear margins, they did find 2 areas of invasive lobular carcinoma.

    Cathy

  • helena1018
    helena1018 Member Posts: 23
    edited February 2010

    Hi!  According to my pathologist, it is generally believed that invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) evolves from lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).  However, she added that in some women, LCIS never progresses to ILC.  My diagnosis last month was ILC with associated LCIS.  Fortunately, it is stage T1b and my prognostic indicators are all favorable. I had lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy.  I do not need chemo due to a low risk score on the Oncotype DX breast cancer assay and I am currently researching the medical literature and interviewing oncologists to decide whether I will undergo radiation therapy (and if so, partial breast or whole breast) and/or hormone therapy with Arimidex.  I find this helps me keep everything in perspective and feel as if I have some measure of control over this situation.

  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2010

    Helena,

    I'm having radiation after the chemo is done with. Radiation is usual when they have done a lumpectomy. You are lucky yours was grade 1. Unfortunately mine was grade 3 HER2+ve so I've had no choice as far as chemo goes.

    Sue

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