You just found out you may have lobular carcinoma in situ. And now you’re worried. Isn’t that breast cancer?
No, but it’s a red flag. It means you have abnormal cells in your breast’s milk glands (lobules). The cells aren’t spreading or multiplying yet. They’re “in situ,” which means they’re staying put — for now. But having them mean’s you’re at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than people who don’t.
Our team of breast health experts will help you keep an eye on what’s happening and manage your condition to lower your risk of getting breast cancer down the road. If you’ve already had a biopsy, we may do another one to confirm that you have lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). No matter what, we’ll do whatever we can to lower your chances of getting breast cancer.
At Cleveland Clinic, we focus on not just your physical health, but also on your emotional well-being. We understand that being at increased risk of breast cancer and the process of enhanced surveillance (watchful waiting) can be stressful and make you anxious about what lies ahead. Our compassionate breast cancer team will be by your side providing expertise and support as you walk this uncertain path. Meet our team.
We’ll take the time to carefully explain your diagnosis and the risks of your condition and explain the ways we can help you manage it. And we consider your personal and family history of cancer and other health conditions in making recommendations. We make sure you get care that matches your unique needs and delivers the best results.
Our experienced breast health providers are always researching new treatments, including a preventive breast cancer vaccine. We use clinical trials to find the best new therapies and bring hope to everyone who comes to us for care.
Quick check-ins and follow-ups with your provider don’t always have to be in person. Our virtual visits make it easy to connect with each other online from home using a smartphone, computer or tablet.
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Finding out you have LCIS can often leave you blindsided — particularly if you don’t have any family history of breast cancer. It’s often discovered after a core needle biopsy is done because of an abnormal mammogram. If breast cancer runs in your family, your provider may recommend genetic counseling.
Because LCIS increases your risk of cancer in the future, you’ll want to be sure to connect with expert providers you trust. That’s why we encourage a second opinion with one of our breast health experts. They can provide a personalized comprehensive evaluation so you can make an informed choice about managing your risk.
When you contact us for an appointment, our team will work to schedule your appointment as quickly as possible. And schedule a biopsy if necessary. Then we’ll sit down and go over your biopsy results with you. A second opinion can help you understand what LCIS is and what your treatment options are. And it can give you peace of mind knowing you’re in the care of capable and compassionate experts in their field.
We believe in teamwork at Cleveland Clinic. This means you’ll have providers from different specialties working closely together to plan your care. Your personalized team may include:
We work as one team — providing expert care at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio and Florida. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be able to see a provider close to home or you may need to come to our main campus for more complex care.
Our breast health experts may recommend a couple of different ways to manage lobular carcinoma in situ.
This is a fancy way of saying we’ll keep a close eye on what’s going on to make sure nothing changes. You’ll have regular appointments with your provider so we can spot any changes in your breasts. Every six months for the first five years, you’ll have a clinical exam with either a 3D mammogram (tomosynthesis) or a contrast-enhanced breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
Medications like selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as tamoxifen (Nolvadex® or Soltamox®) or raloxifene (Evista®), can lower your risk of developing estrogen-sensitive breast cancer — the most common type. Aromatase inhibitors like anastrozole (Arimidex®) or exemestane (Aromasin®) are also possibilities. The medications we recommend will depend on your age, if you still have periods and other aspects of your personal and family health history.
It’s important to note that risk-reducing surgery (preventive mastectomy) is no longer the treatment of choice for LCIS, since preventive medications are so effective. If you’re younger, have a family history of breast cancer or don’t respond well to medications, your provider may go over the possibility of risk-reducing surgery with you.
Even though LCIS isn’t breast cancer, it’s natural to feel worried about your future when you have an increased risk for this serious condition. Our expert breast health providers include psychologists who specialize in helping people with breast conditions. At Cleveland Clinic, we want to help you physically and emotionally. You don’t need to face any uncertainty alone. From the moment you’re diagnosed, to learning how to manage your LCIS, to navigating follow-up care, we’re here for you — every step of the way.
Getting an appointment with Cleveland Clinic’s lobular carcinoma in situ experts is easy. We’ll help you get care.
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