Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
Histopathologic types of breast cancer, with relative incidences and prognoses, with "invasive lobular carcinoma" at top right.
Invasive lobular carcinoma is breast cancer arising from the lobules of the mammary glands. It accounts for 5-10% of invasive breast cancer.
The histologic patterns include:
| Type | Prevalence | Description | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 40% | round or ovoid cells with little cytoplasm in a single-file infiltrating pattern, sometimes concentrically giving a targetoid pattern | 
|
| Mixed | 40% | No dominant pattern | |
| Solid | 10% | Sheets of classical-appearing cells with little intervening stroma | |
| Alveolar | 5% | Aggregates of classical-appearing cells | |
| Tubulolobular | 5% | Cells form microtubules in >90% of tumor (smaller than in tubular carcinoma) | |
| Pleomorphic | Classical-appearing but with pleomorphic cells |
Histopathology of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), next to lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).
Invasive lobular carcinoma demonstrating a predominantly lobular growth pattern.
Lobular breast cancer. Single file cells and cell nests.
Overall, the five-year survival rate of invasive lobular carcinoma was approximately 85% in 2003.
Loss of E-cadherin is common in lobular carcinoma but is also seen in other breast cancers.
Treatment includes surgery and adjuvant therapy.