Stage III Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Betsy's Patient Story
This breast cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage III
- Subtype
- Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
- Treatment
- chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and hormone therapy
- Outcome
- Care Ongoing
Treatment course, step by step
- Betsy received chemotherapy after invasive lobular carcinoma was diagnosed in September 2016.
- Betsy then underwent bilateral mastectomy.
- Clear margins could not be obtained.
- Radiation therapy followed surgery.
- Betsy took tamoxifen for almost 2 years and has since taken anastrozole for 7 years.
What happened, in summary
Betsy’s breast cancer experience began with dense breast tissue and small calcifications seen on mammography. After repeated surveillance, a large left-breast lump became noticeable in 2016, but two rounds of mammography and ultrasound did not show a clear abnormality. As the breast changes became more visible and lumpiness developed on the right side, Betsy continued to advocate for further evaluation. A biopsy in September 2016 confirmed invasive lobular carcinoma.
A PET/CT showed a 6.6 x 6.7 x 2.4 cm mass. Betsy received chemotherapy, followed by bilateral mastectomy and radiation. Isolated tumor cells were found in right-sided lymph nodes, indicating cancer involvement in the right breast as well. Clear surgical margins could not be obtained, and the breast cancer was classified as Stage III.
Long-term hormone therapy became the next part of treatment. Betsy took tamoxifen for almost 2 years and has been taking anastrozole for 7 years. After moving to Virginia, Betsy established care with new doctors, adopted a fully plant-based diet, walks every morning, and continues to draw support from faith. The experience also strengthened Betsy’s commitment to self-advocacy and awareness of invasive lobular carcinoma.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance. Read the original in full
How we source and attribute stories Accuracy and limitations
These are lay summaries of published cancer stories, for information only. No two cancers behave the same way, and nothing here predicts your own diagnosis or replaces advice from your oncology team. Read the full disclaimer