Infiltrating lobular carcinoma of the breast

Abstract

Three hundred and fifty-four patients with histologically proven infiltrating lobular carcinoma of the breast were seen at Memorial Hospital, New York City, between 1956 and 1970. This comprised 5.8% of all breast cancers seen during this interval. Infiltrating lobular breast cancer is found less frequently in the Negro female—3.7% vs. 5.8% for all breast cancer. Histologic differentiation from infiltrating duct carcinoma may be difficult. Clinical diagnosis is often complicated by its gross similiarty to “localized mastitis.” Bilaterality is more frequent with infiltrating lobular carcinoma—23% vs. 16% for infiltrating duct carcinoma. Infiltrating lobular carcinoma is lethal in its behavior, 5- and 10-year salvage rates, after similar therapy, being slightly below those for infiltrating breast carcinoma generally. During its in-situ stage, lobular carcinoma can be cured consistently by total mastectomy. When definitive surgical therapy is delayed until infiltrating breast cancer has developed, the patient is exposed to a greater long-term risk because of the uncertain prognosis of infiltrating lobular carcinoma.