Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Jo's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Jo was 56 and receiving twice-yearly ultrasound and annual mammography because of dense, cystic breasts. During 2021, several suspicious areas in the left breast were biopsied and found to be benign. A technician later noticed an area in the right breast, but it could not be located when Jo returned for biopsy. Her doctor remained concerned and referred her to a surgeon and then to a specialist women’s imaging center.

A right-breast tumor was found and biopsied on December 8, 2021. Jo was told on December 21 that she had lobular breast cancer. The biopsy suggested a very small 3–4 mm tumor, and an MRI showed almost no visible disease. Even so, Jo chose bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. Surgery took place on January 13, 2022, during Sydney’s Omicron wave.

Final pathology showed that the tumor measured 17 mm rather than 3–4 mm. The lymph nodes were clear, the surgical margins were clear and the left breast showed cellular changes but no cancer.

Jo healed well and did not need chemotherapy or radiation. Her ongoing treatment consisted of a monthly Zoladex injection and daily anastrozole. She felt fortunate that her doctors continued investigating after the first right-breast finding could not be reproduced.