Since 1995 - Non Profit Healthcare Advice

Different diagnosis of breast cancer

04/07/2008

Question:

My breast surgeon diagnosis my cancer as invasive lobular cancer. A consulting oncologist said it was inflamatory breast cancer. How is the variance understood?

Answer:

There are two main types of invasive breast cancer- invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma. This differentiation is made by the pathologist who reviews the cancer under the microscope and will be reported on your pathology results. Inflammatory breast cancer is a special type of breast cancer with skin changes and the biopsy of the skin is positive for lymphatic involvement. The inflammatory breast cancers tend to grow fast and are more aggressive. Lobular cancers less commonly present as inflammatory cancers. So it is possible for someone to have invasive lobular cancer and inflammatory breast cancer but you need to clarify this with your medical oncologist.

For more information:

Go to the Breast Cancer health topic.