Biography
Biography: Darlaine Honey
Abstract
Ductal breast cancer is the most common in the US (26%) while lobular cancer takes sixth position i.e., 6%. This unique subtype is often not seen on imaging, especially in dense breast tissue. This unique subtype is a single cell formation, often seen as a reaching branch like pattern and equally as hard to get a clear margin. It is often bilateral if not at diagnosis, within a few years afterwards. It does not always form a mass therefore difficult to detect on manual examination. Initially, this type was thought to have a good prognosis but is often found to have secondary's within five to ten years. Author proposed that this is possibly because the formation of the cancer may have already left the primary site before it is found and too small to pick up on lymph node removal as it has already travelled to another site; bones, GI tract or peritoneal cavity in the case of lobular metastatic pattern where is sits undetected. I propose a lymph node wash, similar to a peritoneal wash which may help to decide whether this is indeed the case. [Q1] I would also like for this unique subtype to be more researched and reflected in the patient leaflets which do not represent the true picture of invasive lobular cancer. In the case of lobular carcinoma in situ, it would be impossible to ascertain exactly when the change from in situ becomes invasive due to the nature of this unique subtype. It would be unfair to ignore a patient's wishes to have both breast removed to alleviate the severe anxiety of enduring an annual diagnostic mammogram knowing that the cancer may not be visible on imaging.