Lobular carcinoma in situ: mammographic-pathologic correlation of results of needle-directed biopsy.

Abstract

The mammographic and histologic findings were reviewed in 41 consecutive cases of isolated lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) unassociated with any malignant diagnosis. Thirty-one needle-directed breast biopsies were performed to evaluate clustered microcalcifications. In 24 of the 31 cases, the calcifications were found in areas of benign breast disease, with LCIS representing a separate process. In the few cases in which microcalcifications were seen in association with LCIS, a greater number of similar calcifications were present in adjacent benign disease. Soft-tissue abnormalities necessitating the performance of a biopsy represented benign foci, except in one patient with LCIS in and adjacent to a fibroadenoma. The authors conclude that LCIS has no characteristic mammographic features. LCIS is detected as an incidental finding at breast biopsy, with the mammographic abnormality predominantly reflecting a benign process.

Radiologic findings of lobular carcinoma in situ: Mammography and ultrasonography

“…Many studies have reported nonspecific mammographic findings in LCIS, and in 30-85% of cases, calcifications or masses can be identified. 5,[14][15][16][17][18] In a study reported by Beute et al, 14 mammography revealed a mass suspicious for malignancy in 8% of cases and a suspicious mass combined with asymmetric density in 13%, a result similar to the findings in our study. In many previous studies, calcifications in LCIS were due to dominant lesions in the vicinity of LCIS, rather than LCIS itself.…”

“…6,9 In the diagnosis of LCIS, the possibility of multiplicity or bilaterality must be considered. 3,15,18 In previous studies, it has been reported that multiplicity may occur in 60-90% of cases, 15 while bilaterality may be present in 35-50%. 14,15 This implies that even if only an isolated focus of LCIS is detected, the possibility of lesions in other areas is high.…”

“…In many previous studies, calcifications in LCIS were due to dominant lesions in the vicinity of LCIS, rather than LCIS itself. 5,14,15,17 Georgian-Smith and Lawton have reported that LCIS is detected as two types: classic form with punctate calcifications and small, uniform cells, and a second type with pleomorphic calcifications and larger cells associated with central necrosis. 16 In our study, on examination of the two cases that appeared as a mass with microcalcifications, one case contained clustered punctate calcifications, while the other displayed clustered fine pleomorphic microcalcifications.…”

“…LCIS may also be associated with benign or borderline lesions including atypical ductal hyperplasia, papilloma, fibroadenoma, and sclerosing adenosis. 5,[9][10][11][12][13] LCIS lacks specific clinical symptoms and distinct mammographic findings 1,5,9,14,15 and thus is often detected incidentally during surgery for other lesions or on histopathological examination, rather than being diagnosed solely as LCIS itself. 9,11,16 The goal of this study was to evaluate the mammographic and the sonographic (US) findings in pure LCIS, which to our knowledge, have not been previously reported.…”

Mammographically detected in situ lobular carcinomas of the breast

“…Conversely, classic LCIS is usually the result of a chance histological finding; when microcalcifications are present they are usually located in a benign lesion adjacent to LCIS [6,19]. Because of this, mammography is not regarded as an effective method of detecting LCIS and cannot be depended upon for assessment of the extent of the disease or determination of whether it is bilateral [14].…”