Stage III Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Martha's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Martha had a dense area in her right breast that worried her throughout her 40s. Multiple mammograms over about 10 years were read as benign. At 49, another mammogram and an ultrasound were also considered benign, but Martha consulted a surgeon who agreed the area needed further investigation. A surgical biopsy found a 6 cm stage 3 invasive lobular carcinoma.

She received neoadjuvant chemotherapy for 4 months. Imaging suggested the tumor had shrunk, and she was advised to have a lumpectomy. During surgery, however, the tumor proved larger than expected and the margins were not clear. Martha then chose bilateral mastectomies. She later completed 30 radiation treatments and began Tamoxifen, planned for a total of 10 years.

By the time she shared her story, Martha was 57 and working as a social worker and community education coordinator. She remained focused on understanding the possibility of recurrence and the clinical trials that might be available if the cancer returned.

Her experience made her especially concerned about detection. She wants patients and clinicians to recognize that lobular breast cancer can blend into dense breast tissue and may remain hidden on standard imaging even when a large abnormal area can be felt.