Breast cancer is not one size fits all. It exists in different personalities. One of the not-so-well-known but significant ones is Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer, or ILC.

If you’ve just been diagnosed with ILC, or you’re studying to help a loved one, breathe. It’s understandable to feel anxious. But the more you know, the more empowered and ready you’ll be  because knowledge is healing.

What Is Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer?

Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer begins in the lobules,  tiny glands within the breast which make milk. The term “invasive” indicates the cancer cells have spread from the lobules into the breast tissue around them, and perhaps beyond that to the lymph nodes or other areas of the body.

ILC is the second most frequent form of invasive breast cancer and accounts for approximately 10–15% of all breast cancers. The most frequent form is invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), which begins in the milk ducts.

But here’s the catch, ILC is different from IDC. It grows linearly, infiltrating the breast in a stealthy, single-file line. That can make it more difficult to spot on a mammogram, and more difficult to detect as a lump.

That’s why ILC is sometimes referred to as “the silent cancer.” It doesn’t always present as expected.

Signs and Symptoms of ILC

ILC usually doesn’t form a palpable lump,  that’s why it’s difficult. But there are signs something is amiss. You may feel:

• A lumpiness or thickening in the breast
• A change in the shape or size of the breast
• Swelling of some of the breast
• Changes in the nipple (inversion, flattening)
• Changes in skin texture or dimpling
• A general “heaviness” in one breast

At times, these changes are slight. Most women with ILC report that they simply “felt something different”  , a new shape or feeling that wasn’t there initially. Listen to your gut. If things feel wrong, tell someone.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Since ILC is more difficult to detect on a mammogram, physicians use a combination of equipment to detect and learn about it:

• Clinical breast exam — A physical examination by your physician
• Ultrasound or breast MRI — These can identify tumours that are missed by mammograms
• Biopsy — Samples of tissue are taken and tested for cancer
• Hormone receptor and HER2 testing — To inform treatment decisions

After ILC is diagnosed, your healthcare team will stage the cancer (how far it has spread) and create an individualized treatment plan that is right for your particular situation.

What Is Different About ILC and Other Breast Cancers?

• It’s more difficult to find,  usually doesn’t present as a lump and develops more diffusely.
• It’s more likely to be bilateral (in both breasts).
• It tends to be estrogen-receptor positive, meaning hormone therapy tends to work.
• It can’t be treated as effectively with chemotherapy as ductal cancer can, so treatment choices can be different.

This doesn’t make it “better” or “worse” , just different. The key is early detection and a tailored treatment plan.

How Is ILC Treated?

The treatment strategy for ILC is the same as other breast cancers but with modifications depending on its behaviour:

1. Surgery

Most patients have a lumpectomy (tumour and a little bit of surrounding tissue removed) or mastectomy (whole breast removed). If cancer is detected in both breasts, a double mastectomy will be suggested.

2. Radiation Therapy

Usually employed after surgery, particularly if a lumpectomy has been performed. It decreases the chance of the cancer returning.

3. Hormone Therapy

Because many ILCs are hormone receptor-positive, drugs such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors can slow or halt the growth of the cancer.

4. Chemotherapy

Occasionally used, particularly if the cancer has spread or is aggressive. However because ILC tends to respond well to hormone therapy, chemo isn’t always needed.

5. Targeted Therapy

If your cancer is HER2-positive (something that occurs less frequently in ILC), drugs such as Herceptin might be employed.

Living with ILC: The Emotional Side

Regardless of what type of breast cancer you have, it rattles your world. There is the diagnosis, the treatment, waiting, healing. It is physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual all at once.

You may feel alone, particularly if you’ve never heard of ILC. But you’re not alone. Numerous women have travelled this path and emerged on the other side stronger than they ever thought possible.

Rely on your support network,  family, friends, therapists, and survivor groups. Your mental and emotional well-being is as important as your physical care.

Hope and Healing Ahead

Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer may not be as showy as other forms, but that does not mean it’s helpless,  or that you are.

With the proper care team, tailored treatment, and continued guidance, there is life, love, and laughter to come. Keep questioning. Trust your voice. Fight for your health. And never forget: you are more than your diagnosis.

ILC may be a curveball, but you’ve got this.