Master Invasive Lobular Carcinoma of Breast with Picmonic for Medicine

Invasive lobular carcinoma is often associated with lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) and presents with multiple, bilateral, non-palpable lesions.

Invasive lobular carcinoma, similarly to lobular carcinoma in situ, loses the expression of CDH1, which encodes for E-cadherin. Thus, decreased levels of E-cadherin (adhesion proteins) leads to discohesive infiltration.

Invasive lobular carcinoma has the hallmark histological presentation of "single file" tumor cells clustered into chains or strands that are capable of invading into adjacent stroma. These are known as "lobular lines" with no duct formation.

Invasive lobular carcinoma is often asymptomatic in early stages. However, later the disease may present as palpable breast masses.

The treatment of invasive lobular carcinoma pertains to the staging and classification of the disease. Tumor removal (e.g. breast conserving, mastectomy) and/or lymph node dissection could be considered.

Invasive lobular carcinoma could also be treated with chemotherapy and radiation. Choice of treatment is based on the stage and classification of the disease.