Stage IV Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Leslie's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Leslie was 56 when her breast cancer diagnosis unfolded over 2.5 months in 2017. A March 3D mammogram led to a call-back for the left breast, but the follow-up report was normal and noted dense breasts that could obscure small masses. Leslie still sensed that something was wrong in the right breast, even though she and her husband could not feel a mass and she had no family history of breast cancer. Two weeks later, she returned to the doctor. An ultrasound technician could not find cancer at first, but the radiologist eventually found a tiny spot in the right breast that was biopsied. The biopsy report said Stage II lobular breast cancer, and Leslie initially felt relieved that cure might be possible. One month later, MRI changed the picture completely. It showed Stage IV disease with numerous bone metastases throughout the spine, ribs, and pelvis. Leslie learned she had de novo metastatic lobular breast cancer that had likely been growing slowly for years despite annual mammograms. As of February 2024, more than 6 years later, she was living with metastatic ILC, and her cancer was well controlled on targeted drugs. She used LBCA resources to understand imaging challenges and advocate for better care.