Diagnostic and therapeutic features of invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast: A study of 30 cases

Abstract

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) of the breast accounts for 5-15% of breast cancers. It is classified as the second most frequent histological type after non-specific invasive cancer (NSIC) and its prevalence has seen a marked increase. Clinical and radiological diagnosis is difficult. Usually, this cancer develops bilaterally and more slowly than non-specific invasive cancer, with best prognostic factors. The purpose of our study was to describe in detail the clinical, radiological, therapeutic and prognostic features of invasive lobular carcinoma. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of 30 cases with ILC of the breast whose data were collected at the Center of Maternity and Neonatology, Monastir over a period of 10 years. The prevalence of ILC was 5.2%. The average age of patients was 53.43 years. Ten percent of patients had a personal history of benign mastopathies, 6.66% had a personal history of breast cancer and 3.33% had a family history of breast cancer. Late-stage diagnosis was made in 18 cases. Bifocal mass was found in 5 patients, multifocal mass in 4 patients and bilateral mass in 3 patients. Only one patient had liver metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Radical mastectomy (Patey) was immediately performed in 63.33% of patients. Anatomo-pathological examination showed multifocal lesions in 44.80% of cases. Lymph node dissection was satisfactory in 21 patients; 28 patients (93.33%) underwent radiotherapy and adjuvant hormonal therapy. Five-year overall survival was 77.3%.