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Radiologic and Pathologic Correlation of Invasive Lobular Carcinoma of the Breast

  • Best Practice Approaches Breast Radiology-Pathology Correlation and Management (J Scheel and MR Kilgore, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Breast Cancer Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The primary goal of this review is to give an update on the radiologic and pathologic features of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), with an emphasis on recent studies related to the diagnosis of ILC. We review the imaging features of ILC and also discuss recommendations for avoiding potential pitfalls that can result in a delayed diagnosis. The histologic features of ILC and the role of multidisciplinary radiographic-pathologic correlation in aiding a timely diagnosis of ILC are also discussed.

Recent Findings

There have been recent technologic advancements in breast imaging, including digital breast tomosynthesis, molecular breast imaging, and contrast-enhanced digital mammography, all of which have been shown to outperform conventional digital mammography in the diagnosis of ILC.

Summary

The imaging features of ILC can be subtle due to its lack of significant desmoplastic response, thus making it challenging to diagnose. This underscores the importance of careful radiologic-pathologic correlation and appropriate management of suspicious imaging findings and suspicious clinical findings even in the absence of a correlating imaging abnormality.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Eniola Oluyemi & Ani Peshtani

  2. Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 401 N. Broadway St, Weinberg 2242, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Marissa J. White & Ashley Cimino-Mathews

  3. Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 401 N. Broadway St, Weinberg 2242, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Ashley Cimino-Mathews

Authors
  1. Eniola Oluyemi
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  2. Ani Peshtani
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  3. Marissa J. White
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  4. Ashley Cimino-Mathews
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Correspondence to Eniola Oluyemi.

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Conflict of Interest

Eniola Oluyemi, Ani Peshtani, Marissa J. White, and Ashley Cimino-Mathews declare no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Oluyemi, E., Peshtani, A., White, M.J. et al. Radiologic and Pathologic Correlation of Invasive Lobular Carcinoma of the Breast. Curr Breast Cancer Rep 13, 319–330 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-021-00434-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-021-00434-y

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