Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)

The treatment of lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is somewhat controversial. LCIS is thought to be an indicator for an increased risk of developing invasive breast cancer, but may not be a direct precursor to invasive breast cancer. This abnormality is generally widely distributed throughout the breast and frequently occurs in both breasts simultaneously.

A variety of factors influence a patient's decision to receive treatment of cancer. The purpose of receiving cancer treatment may be to improve symptoms through local control of the cancer, increase a patient's chance of recovery, or prolong a patient's survival. The potential benefits of receiving cancer treatment must be carefully balanced with the potential risks of receiving cancer treatment.

The following is a general overview of the treatment of LCIS. Circumstances unique to your situation and prognostic factors of your cancer may ultimately influence how these general treatment principles are applied. The information on this Web site is intended to help educate you about your treatment options and to facilitate a mutual or shared decision-making process with your treating cancer physician.

From long-term retrospective studies, it is estimated that approximately 25 percent of patients with LCIS will develop invasive breast cancer within 25 years of diagnosis. Thus, this diagnosis is being used to identify patients at high risk of subsequently developing invasive breast cancer. Current approaches for management of LCIS include surgical removal of the LCIS or treatment with anti-estrogens to reduce the risk of developing invasive cancer.