What is Lobular Carcinoma in situ (LCIS)?
- Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS) is a carcinoma which arises and limited to the cells lining the milk-producing glands of the breast
How is it diagnosed?
- LCIS is mostly asymptomatic and is diagnosed most commonly in biopsies taken from the breast. As it does not produce the characteristic calcification's, it is not easily seen on a mammogram.
What is the significance of LCIS?
- Patients who have LCIS are more prone to develop an invasive carcinoma of the breast(30-40%) when compared to those who do not have LCIS (12.5%). Those who develop invasive carcinoma of the breast develop it over a long period from the onset of LCIS (around 10 to 15 years).
How is Lobular Carcinoma in situ treated??
- As the LCIS are seen in multiple areas of the breast and as they develop into cancers after a long period, no specific treatment is needed other than regular followup.
How is followup done for LCIS?
- Regular followup is needed for patients who have LCIS and this is done by
- Monthly self-examination of the breast
- Examination by the doctor every six months
- Mammography screening once every year