Lobular Carcinoma In Situ – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
The breast contains milk-producing glands called lobules. These small sacs connect to ducts that carry milk to the nipple.
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) affects these milk glands. Even though “carcinoma” appears in its name, LCIS is not breast cancer. It represents abnormal cell growth in the lobules.
Being diagnosed with LCIS means you have a higher risk of developing invasive breast cancer later. This increased risk applies to both breasts, not just the one where LCIS was found.
Symptoms
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) typically doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms. Most people with LCIS don’t know they have it until it’s found during a biopsy performed for another reason, such as an abnormal mammogram or a lump in the breast.
Unlike invasive breast cancers, LCIS doesn’t form a mass you can feel during a breast self-exam. It also doesn’t appear as a visible abnormality on imaging tests like mammograms. This makes it difficult to detect through routine screening.
LCIS is usually discovered incidentally when breast tissue is examined under a microscope after being removed for other reasons. The condition involves abnormal cell growth in the milk-producing glands (lobules) of the breast but doesn’t spread beyond these lobules.
Some key points about LCIS symptoms:
- No pain or discomfort
- No breast lumps related to LCIS itself
- No skin changes or nipple discharge
- No visible changes on mammograms specifically related to LCIS
When to See a Doctor
If you notice any unusual changes in your breast tissue, make an appointment with your doctor promptly.
While lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) rarely causes symptoms and is usually found during a biopsy for another breast condition, being alert to breast changes is important.
Contact your doctor if you notice:
- A new lump or thickening in your breast
- Changes in breast size or shape
- Skin dimpling or puckering
- Nipple changes (inversion, discharge, or scaling)
- Redness or warmth in breast tissue
Regular breast cancer screening is essential for early detection. Follow these general guidelines:
| Age Group | Recommended Screening |
|---|---|
| 40-44 years | Annual mammograms (optional but recommended) |
| 45-54 years | Annual mammograms |
| 55+ years | Mammograms every 1-2 years |
Women with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors may need to start screening earlier or have additional tests. Discuss your personal risk factors with your doctor to create an appropriate screening plan.
Causes
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) develops when abnormal cells form in the milk-producing glands of the breast. These cells stay inside the lobules and don’t spread into surrounding breast tissue.
Scientists aren’t completely sure why some people develop LCIS, but several factors may play a role.
Hormonal factors are linked to LCIS development. Estrogen and progesterone, female hormones that control breast growth and milk production, can sometimes trigger abnormal cell growth. This explains why LCIS typically affects women before menopause when hormone levels are higher.
Genetic changes also contribute to LCIS. Research shows that mutations in certain genes, particularly E-cadherin (CDH1), may increase risk. This gene normally helps cells stick together properly, and when it doesn’t work correctly, abnormal cell growth can occur.
Risk Factors
Several factors may increase a person’s chance of developing lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). Being female is the primary risk factor, as LCIS rarely affects men.
Age plays an important role too, with most cases diagnosed in women between 40 and 50 years old, before menopause.
Family history matters significantly. Women with close relatives (mother, sister, or daughter) who have had breast cancer face a higher risk of LCIS.
Hormone replacement therapy containing estrogen and progesterone taken after menopause can also increase risk.
Additional risk factors include:
- Previous radiation treatment to the chest area
- Certain genetic mutations, particularly in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes
- Starting menstruation at an early age
- Going through menopause at a later age
- Having never been pregnant
Remember that having risk factors doesn’t mean someone will definitely develop LCIS. Many women with several risk factors never develop this condition, while others with no known risk factors do.
