Dr Mouabbi on Challenges Diagnosing and Managing Invasive Lobular Carcinoma

Jason A. Mouabbi, MD, assistant professor, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Department of General Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses unique challenges associated with diagnosing and managing invasive lobular carcinoma.

Mouabbi states that for many years, the cancer research community at large failed to recognize the distinct nature of invasive lobular carcinoma. Instead, it often treated this disease similarly to invasive ductal carcinoma, which is the most common form of breast cancer.

One ongoing diagnostic challenge is the limitations of conventional breast imaging techniques, such as mammography, Mouabbi continues. Although these modalities are highly effective at detecting invasive ductal carcinoma, they are less effective when identifying invasive lobular carcinoma, Mouabbi explains. This often leads to later-stage diagnoses for patients with invasive lobular carcinoma. Consequently, invasive lobular carcinoma tends to be diagnosed at a more advanced stage, which negatively impacts overall outcomes, he says.

The delayed diagnosis and subsequent treatment challenges associated with invasive lobular carcinoma are reflected in the long-term prognosis of patients, Mouabbi reports. He adds that the 10-, 15-, and 20-year survival rates for patients with invasive lobular carcinoma are generally inferior to those for patients with invasive ductal carcinoma.

The higher rate of late disease recurrence observed in this patient population underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and long-term follow-up, Mouabbi says. Although many patients diagnosed with early-stage invasive lobular carcinoma can have a good prognosis following initial treatment, the cumulative risk of late recurrence necessitates sustained monitoring and potential interventions to mitigate this risk over time, he emphasizes.

Mouabbi concludes that future research focused on advancements in imaging techniques could facilitate earlier detection of invasive lobular carcinoma. He stresses the importance of recognizing the distinct nature of invasive lobular carcinoma in clinical practice and research, which could lead to the development of more effective diagnostic tools and treatment approaches tailored specifically to this subtype of breast cancer. With multiple ongoing trials within this space, Mouabbi expresses hope that the long-term prognosis for patients with invasive lobular carcinoma can be improved.