Invasive lobular lung cancer, also known as infiltrating lobular carcinoma, is a type of breast cancer that begins in the lobules, the milk-producing glands. From there it can spread to surrounding tissues and other organs. The symptoms that can indicate this condition include a thickening in part of the breast or a new area of swelling. A change in the texture of the skin or the appearance of the breast or nipple retraction can also indicate an invasive carcinoma.
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Treatment options for this type of breast cancer include surgery as primary treatment but also additional treatment is recommended through radiotherapy, hormone therapy and chemotherapy. Surgical procedure that can be done include wide local excision, lumpedectomy and mastectomy.

This type of cancer can also spread to other parts of the body through metastasis. This can significantly reduce life expectancy prognosis, increase death rates and actually offers very little chances for a cure. It is also why women should be very responsible about their regular self-exam of the breasts. A periodical mammography is also very useful in detecting the cancer while it is curable. Unfortunately, lobular carcinomas are more difficult to detect by mammography because it might not appear as a distinct lump but they are more likely to occur as an abnormal thickening in the breast. 5% of patients can even develop this type of carcinoma in both breasts.



Invasive lobular breast cancers account for almost 5% to 10% of all invasive breast cancers. This is a small percentage but a significant one nonetheless.

Death rates in this type of cancer are approximately the same as for other types of breast cancer. What death rates mostly depend on is the stage, location and size of the tumor. The stage is the main indicator of life expectancy prognosis. Survival in breast cancer is also influenced by social, biological and individual conditions. The stage remains however the main tool for prognosis. For example, tumor size is obviously associated with lower life expectancy. Malignant lesions bigger than 5,0 cm indicate a 50% - 60% 20 year survival rate while lesions smaller that 1cm imply a 93-98% 20 year survival rate. Death rates can be calculated starting from here but conclusions will be just about the same.



To make a better picture about the death rates and survival rates for this cancer we should take a look at every stage separately. There are 4 stages and survival rates decrease from stage 0 to stage 4. For stage 0 survival rates are 100% while for stage 1 they drop to 98%. Stage 2 is associated with a 88% five-year survival rate and stage 3 with a survival rate ranging from 56% to 49%. The 5-year survival rate for stage 4 is only 16

While there are some specific causes for breast cancer there are also many risk factors that can weigh just as much in developing breast cancer as the cause to start with.
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A cause for breast cancer is represented by particular changes in DNA which can cause normal breast cell to develop certain abnormalities, begin to divide faster and thus turn into cancerous cells. DNA is a chemical that is shared by all our cells and that adds up to forming our genes. Since genetics are involved here it is only natural to presume that certain DNA changes can be inherited. Such hereditary mutations can increase the risk for developing breast cancer so it is possible for breast cancer to run in the family. Research has revealed that mutations in two particular genes can lead to breast cancer by making them incapable to supress tumors, their initial function. These genes are BRCA1 and BRCA2. They act to kill cells at the right time and especially cancerous cells which, if the genes mutate, can grow out of control and cause the cancer to form and eventually to become invasive.



However, most mutations of these genes happen with no connection to genetics, they haven't been inherited. Unfortunately the cause of these mutations and implicitly the primary cause for breast cancer is not known.

Even if we don't know the primary cause for breast cancer we can still be certain of some risk factors that can have the final say when the cancer is beginning to form. These are easier to find out and to manage good enough to make sure that the risk of breast cancer is at its minimum. Even if this is taken care of you still can't be sure you are safe. This is why you should always make sure you get tested periodically and that you perform a self exam every month or even more often.

Risk factors include gender, age and genetics but also other more characteristic factors. Generally, the risk grows with age as 2 in 3 women diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50. Personal history is also a significant factor as it is clear that if you've had the cancer one you are under the risk of recurrent cancer. Race is also important as white women are under a higher risk of developing breast cancer than Afro-Americans.



Certain benign breast problems can also lead to breast cancer. That is why at the slightest sign of change in your breasts you should seek a doctor's attention. Exposure to radiation or lobular carcinoma in situ are other medical affections that can lead to cancer. Having your first period very early in life or going through menopause later than 55 also increase the risk for breast cancer.

There are also other factors that can lead to cancer such as those represented by your lifestyle. Such factors that can increase the risk of breast cancer include: not having children or choosing to have them later in life, certain birth control pills, not breast-feeding, being overweight, drinking alcohol and lack of exercise.

One of the deadliest diseases among women, <strong>breast cancer</strong> still keeps some mystery over its <strong>causes</strong>.

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<p>One intriguing issue comes from the most utilized detecting method, as medical specialists point to the <strong>mammogram</strong> as a risk factor of the <strong>breast cancer</strong>. Due to considerable pressure placed on the woman’s <strong>breast</strong> during the procedure, the method may help spread the existing <strong>cancer </strong>cells and could cause them to metastasize from the <strong>breast</strong> tissue. Pregnant women are strongly advised not to expose themselves to radiations of any kind (<strong>mammograms</strong> included), because of the future risks of leukemia to the unborn child, along with birth defect. As <strong>breast cancer</strong> doesn’t address to women only, studies reveal that children exposed to radiation are more likely to develop <strong>breast cancer</strong> as adults. Women under the age of 30, carrying mutations of specific <strong>cancer</strong> genes, could face a higher risk of radiation-induced <strong>breast cancer</strong> that outweighs the benefits of <strong>mammography</strong>.

<p>Another sensitive issue, mainly for its social impact, turns to be the abortion (with regard on the number and the age of having it). American scientists explained that „abortion leaves the <strong>breast</strong> cells in a permanent suspended state where they are neither dormant nor mature and that these cells are susceptible to undergo malignant change”. But birth control pills don’t help either, as the medical world relates them to the disease, as an increasing risk factor.
<p>2-hydroxyestrone and 16-alpha-hydroxyestrone every woman has are known as „The Good Estrogen” and „The Bad Estrogen”. Experiments proved that an increased level of 2-hydroxyestrone led to protection against tumors while the decreased level showed a <strong>breast cancer</strong> risk.
<p>A closer look at antiperspirant products shows that a daily use can lead to <strong>lumps</strong>. However, the paraben presence in <strong>cancer</strong> samples could not be stated for sure as a <strong>breast cancer cause</strong>. Multivitamins seem to be a Trojan horse, as they increase the risk of the disease by 20%, but it is still under research. Yet, Vitamin D is recommended as a very powerful tool against it. Women with vitamin D deficiency have a significantly higher risk of <strong>breast cancer</strong>, scientists agreed.

<p>On a long list of possible <strong>breast cancer causes</strong>, the lifestyle and the environment are covering a lot of ground. Many women experience the complex situation of being mothers, wives and employees at the same time. Stress is very likely to occur and, unfortunately, so is the <strong>breast cancer</strong>. As stress is related to a lot of health problems, managing it can be an important step in preventing all sorts of <strong>cancer</strong>, including the <strong>breast</strong> one. Environmental toxins go hand in hand with diseases and they are basically everywhere: in nail polish, soft plastic containers we use to drink from, tap water from a municipal water supply or well water in a farming community etc.
<p>A balance of healthy living and healthy choices reduces the risk of all <strong>cancer</strong> forms. <strong>Breast cancer causes</strong> may not be accurately determined, but regular exercise, increasing vitamin D intake, eating a low-fat diet as well as less alcohol and no smoking are all ways of preventing the disease.

As we all know, the breast cancer is a disease (like all cancers) that cause the cells to change and grow without control. Most types of the cancer cells are forming a lump or a mass which is called tumor. Breast cancer it begins in the breast tissue.

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But there are some things we do not know and I am sure many women would like to know if there is a way to prevent breast cancer. I heard this question often but unfortunately for now, there is no guaranteed way to prevent it, and that is why the mammograms are so important. A woman is best overall preventive health strategy besides regular mammograms, it is to reduce the risk factors as soon as possible; avoid at least the known risk factors as obesity, and alcohol. All women should consider the increased risk of this disease associated with use of combined hormone – estrogen and progestin – this is the therapy in evaluating treatment options for menopausal symptoms; (tamoxifen can reduce the risk to develop this disease, among women at high risk).



Beside this, the next question would be: how can breast cancer be detected early? This is another common question and really important one. The early stage of breast cancer, when tumor is really small and most treatable and typically it does not produce any symptoms; it is therefore very important for women to follow recommended guidelines for finding breast cancer at this early stage.  The most important physical symptom is a painless mass. 10% of the patients have breast pain and no mass.



There are also less common symptoms which include changes to the breast  that do not go away, such as thickening, skin distortion or irritation, swelling, and the nipple symptoms : erosion, tenderness, spontaneous discharge, inversion, etc.  American Cancer Society guideline for early stage detection change as a women ages and include mammography and clinical breast examination; for example for the women at the age of 40 or older, the advice is to make annual mammography, annual clinical breast examination and monthly breast self- examination, but at the women between 20 and 39 years the advice is to make a clinical breast examination every three years and monthly breast self-examination.



As we can see, this disease should be taken seriously. It does not really matter anything when it comes about breast cancer. It does not discriminate; any woman can develop this disease, even men. Many well known celebrities had to fight with breast cancer same like Cristina Applegate . During her teenage year, (even for more then 20 years, she made us laugh), she played in - Married with children - as Kelly Bundy and in 2007, she landed the role on – Samantha Who? – comedy series. She received for her performance,  Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. In April 2008, at the age of 36, Cristina Applegate was diagnosed with breast cancer, living quietly with it at first but she said that it was very hard to live with it without telling anyone and that is why she made all public. She found that she has cancer in an early-stage and she immediately took care of it: being afraid of relapse, she made the dramatic decision to have a mastectomy to the both breasts – bilateral mastectomy and after several months of treatment, she cured.

The breast cancer is a disease in which breast cells begin to grow rapidly in an uncontrolled rate. The breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, while lung cancer remains the most common cause of death in both, men and women. Approximately 1% of all the breast cancers occur in adult men.
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Metastatic breast cancer - Metastasis is the movement of the cancer cells, either trough the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. Metastatic breast cancer occurs when the cancer cells move from breast to other parts of the body and continue to grow in the new location. The metastasis near the breast areas, for example in the axilla (under arm), is called regional metastasis. In other areas of the body, such as in bone, liver or lung, is called metastasis from a distance. Metastatic cancer may be present when initial diagnosed or it may occur few months later or even years.

Recurrent breast cancer - Recurrent breast cancer is that type of cancer that recurs after treatment was finished. The breast cancer recurs in 20% to 30% from all cases after the initial diagnosis. Recurrence rate is higher in the first 5 years after treatment, but may occur in up to 30 years after initial diagnosis. The locally recurrent indicate that the disease reappeared in the breast, after tumor excision and radiotherapy, or in the skin of the chest wall, after mastectomy. The local recurrence of the breast cancer is not considered metastases.

The regional recurring significance, usually, as a disease reappeared near lymph nodes, as an example armpit (axillary lymph nodes) or in the neck (lymph nodes and over clavicle). The recurrent distance refers to the breast cancer which appeared in other parts of the body, such as in live, lung, bones or brain.

Causes - The exact cause of breast cancer is not known. The female hormones and the increase in age, play a role. The breast cancer is a common disease in women over 50 years. The probability that a woman will develop breast cancer at the age of 30 years is 1 in 250.  The risk of a woman to develop breast cancer at the age of 40 is 1 in 70. The women with a history of breast cancer have an increased risk of developing recurrent or metastatic breast cancer, most of recurrences appear between 5 to 10 years from the initial diagnosis.

Symptoms - The metastatic or recurrent cancer symptoms depend on the location and stretching. There may be specific physical symptoms, such as a tumor in the breast or chest wall, bone pain or an interrupted breathing (shorted). They also may be no symptoms at all. Sometimes, the recurrent or metastatic cancer is discovered before the symptoms to appear either on a chest x-rays or to laboratory tests which are made for staging or for tracking.

Diagnosis - The metastatic and recurrent breast cancer is diagnosed using physical examination, mammograms, blood tests, chest radiography, bone, ultrasound and CT scan or MRI. The diagnosis of the breast cancer should be confirmed by a biopsy of the suspected region.

The breast cancer is the increase of the abnormal cells which are found (lining) between ducts and breast lobules. The breast cancer is classified according to the microscopic appearance of the cancer cells. Stages indicate how far cancer cells have moved. The doctor who treats breast cancer, determine the stage by picking up the results after tests, as biopsy of lymph nodes, blood tests, bone radiography. The cancer staging is one of the most important factors in choosing the right treatment.