Breast cancer, but without a lump? Let's talk about Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)

When we think of 'breast cancer', we often think of a lump in the breast, right? But did you know that not all breast cancers come out as a lump? Today, we're going to talk about a type of cancer that behaves a little differently, that spreads stealthily inside the body. This is called Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, or (ILC) for short.

Simply put, what is Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)?

Okay, let's put it this way. Your breasts have glands that produce milk. Doctors call these "lobules." This type of cancer starts in these milk-producing glands.

Unlike other types of breast cancer, these ILC cancer cells, instead of coming together to form a tumor, spread through the breast tissue in rows of individual cells . Think of it like a line of ants. This is why a tumor spreads in this way.

ILC accounts for about 10% to 15% of breast cancers. This type of cancer is often stimulated by the female hormone estrogen. It is also a very slow-growing cancer. It can be present for years before you have any symptoms or are detected by a mammogram. Like other cancers, ILC can spread through breast tissue or to other parts of the body.

If there is no tumor, how do you know the symptoms of this?

This is the most important thing. Since ILC cancer does not form a lump, you should be very careful about other subtle changes in the breast. You may not notice any changes in the early stages. But as the cancer progresses, these symptoms may appear.

What are the risk factors for developing this cancer?

As with any cancer, it's hard to say exactly what causes this one. It's a genetic mutation that causes healthy cells to become cancerous. But researchers have found several factors that increase the risk of developing ILC.

• Being over 55 years of age.
• Having your first child after age 30 or not having children.
• Having had breast cancer before.
• Having a family member (especially mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer or ovarian cancer.
• Having a condition called Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS): This is not cancer, but a cell change that increases the risk of developing cancer in the future.
• Some genetic mutations are inherited.
• Puberty before the age of 12.
• Menopause occurs after the age of 55.
• Taking some hormone therapy for symptoms that occur after menopause.

What are the specific complications of ILC?

There are two slightly different complications of ILC cancer that require special attention.

1. Spread to unusual places in the body: Other types of breast cancer usually spread to the brain, bones, liver, and lungs. ILC cancer can also spread to those places. But in addition, it can also spread to unusual places where cancer does not usually spread.

• Digestive system (intestines, stomach)
• Female reproductive system (ovaries, uterus)
• The inner lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum)
• The coverings surrounding the brain and spinal cord (Leptomeninges)
• Tissue around the eye

2. Recurrence after a period of treatment: This is the most dangerous thing about this cancer. Even after treatment and thinking it is cured, the cancer can recur in a distant part of the body even after a period of 10 to 15 years . We call this `(Metastatic Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)`.

How do doctors find this?

When you see a doctor about a breast lump, he or she will first ask you about your symptoms and examine your breast and armpit. Since ILC is not a lump, it may not be detected by a routine exam. Therefore, you may be referred for tests like these.

• Mammogram: An X-ray of the breast. However, because of the way ILC cancer spreads, it can sometimes not be clearly seen on a mammogram.
• Breast Ultrasound: This helps to get a closer look at a specific area of ​​the breast.
• Breast MRI scan: This can produce very clear, detailed images of breast tissue. MRI is very important for detecting difficult-to-detect cancers like ILC.

If any doubt arises from these tests, the next step is a biopsy . This means that a very small piece of tissue is taken from the breast under anesthesia and examined under a microscope. Only this biopsy can confirm 100% whether or not cancer cells are present.

Stages of cancer

Once the biopsy confirms that it is cancerous, the extent of the cancer is determined and its stage is determined. Treatment is planned based on this stage.

What are the treatments for ILC?

Your doctor will consider many factors, including the stage of your cancer, whether it is hormone-sensitive (ER+), and your overall health, to develop a treatment plan that is best for you. This may usually involve one or a combination of treatments.

• Surgery: Removal of the part of the breast or the entire breast that contains cancerous cells.
• Chemotherapy: Giving powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be given before or after surgery.
• Radiation Therapy: The use of high-energy rays to destroy any cancer cells that may remain after surgery.
• Hormone Therapy: If the cancer is estrogen-sensitive (ER+), drugs are given that block the action of those hormones.
• Targeted Therapy: Drugs that target specific genetic changes that affect the growth of cancer cells.

The recovery time after treatment varies from person to person and depending on the treatment you receive. Talk to your doctor about this openly.

What are the chances of living with this disease?

We all get scared when we hear the word cancer. But it's important to know these things. These ``survival rates'' are the percentage of people who survive 5 or 10 years after being diagnosed with cancer.

Research shows that 94% of women diagnosed with ILC cancer are still alive after 5 years. After 10 years, this percentage increases to about 86% . Compared to other types of breast cancer, the 10-year survival rate is slightly lower. Doctors continue to research to find the causes and improve treatments.

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