Classical variant of infiltrating lobular breast cancer seen in the Oncology Centre in Krakow: clinical characteristics, results of therapy and prognostic factors in patients treated 1980–2005

Abstract

Introduction. Infiltrating lobular breast cancer (ILC) accounts for approximately 5–10% of all breast cancer types. The purpose of this study is to present the clinico-pathological characteristics and treatment results in patients treated for classical variant of ILC (C-ILC).

Material and methods. The analysis was performed in group of 220 patients with C-ILC treated between 1980 and 2005. Stage I or II cancer was found in 67.7% patients, and in 172 patients (78.2%) the tumour diameter was lower than 5 cm (78.2%), 121 patients (55%) did not develop lymph node metastases. Immunohistochemical analysis showed estrogen receptor positivity (80.9%), progesterone receptor positivity (72.7%) and expression of HER2/neu (3.7%). The multifocal changes were present in 14 cases (6.4%). All patients received surgical treatment: mastectomy (189 — 85.9%) or breast-conserving therapy (31 — 14.1%). The adiuvant treatment consisted of radiotherapy (141 patients — 64.1%), chemotherapy (35 patients — 15.9%) and hormonotherapy (120 patients — 54.5%).

Results. The 10-year disease-free survival rate was 65%. Multivariate analysis showed that an independent statistically significant prognostic factor was microscopic status of axillary lymph nodes. During follow-up the development of breast cancer in the second breast was observed in 19 patients ( 8.6%) and 55 patients (25%) developed distant metastases.

Conclusions. The C-ILC has some specific clinico-pathological characteristics and it is possible to perform breast- -conserving treatment in these cases. The negative prognostic factor is the presence of lymph node metastases.