Lobular Breast Cancer: Let's share and support each other
Since lobular breast cancer is only 10-15% of all breast cancer diagnoses and now understood to be a unique subset of breast cancer as a whole with different characteristics than ductal breast cancer necessitating different treatments and inherently different risks, I would like to see a separate category under the breast cancer forum so that the most appropriate info is being disseminated for this specific subset of BC. Just a thought.
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Hmmm...I would want to investigate "other possibilities." I was diagnosed in September with "osteonecrosis of the left femoral head and neck" via MRI without contrast. In February I recieved my diagnosis of "pleomorphic lobular carcinoma with neuroendocrine features." ER (95%) and PR (70%) positive HER2 negative, Ki67~70%(Pathology went to Cleveland Clinic for second opinion.) Tumor size by ultrasound 3.1 cm, initially grade III. Started letrozole and Ibrance on March 2 & March 9 respectively to shrink the tumor and halt disease progression prior to CT scan and surgery.
CT scan showed this:
MUSCULOSKELETAL ABDOMEN PELVIS: Mixed lucent and sclerotic appearance of the
anterior aspect of the left femoral head, with slight cortical collapse, in
keeping with osteonecrosis. No right femoral osteonecrosis. Slight leftward
curvature in the lower lumbar spine. Severe disc degeneration at L3-4 and
L4-5. Small densely sclerotic foci in the right iliac bone are almost
certainly bone islands.
Of course, I already had a comparison MRI and diagnosis. My onco and radiologist were not concerned about the "lytic and sclerotic lesions". So..this could be and example of the "other possibilities" that could masquerade as bone mets.
I am 69. Had lumpectomy on April 5, reexcision (only to find NOTHING) on April 19. Lymph node negative. Currently on an Ibrance holiday until after radiation (15 whole breast 5 targeted to tumor site). I start Ibrance again in July for a year...(😪) Letrozole probably for 10 years.
I would never venture to discount a Cleveland Clinic tumor team, but they do look at everything through a cancer lens, which might cause them to rule out the other possible reasons for those sclerotic lesions. My husband had a bone biopsy when he had prostate cancer that showed healed trauma from a slip on the ice and subsequent contact with the brick steps when he was in high school. Not a fun way to confirm what he already told the docs.
My post surgical tumor size was 2.3 cm. The Ibrance/letrozole was effective in shrinking the tumor by 20% in just one cycle. I fully expected to be stage 4, but my current stage, (according to the radiologist) is IB...
I hope this helps a little. Feel free to contact me privately.
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5 ReactionsI’m grateful I qualified for the accelerated radiation treatments 5 day’s..500 rems.. 🙏🏻
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2 ReactionsThat's great news! They consider Verzenio a targeted therapy. I would talk to your oncologist about what they have in mind and any other options so you can make an informed decision.
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1 ReactionNo the last Pet scan was negative of any signs of progression of cancer ..the scan was right be fore I started radiation a t the end of March
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1 ReactionAfter surgery, radiation and Chemotherapy, has there been progression of disease?
The 1st 4 rounds was the chemo called red devil and then there was another type give the same day. The last 12 were taxol. Yes it spread to my lymphnodes 21 out of 27 had cancer cells
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1 ReactionTo your question, Verzenio is a CDK 4/6 inhibitor approved for ER+ HER2- breast cancer. Mechanism may be different than previous chemo but most work by interrupting cell cycle in rapidly growing cells.
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1 ReactionWhy did they do 16 rounds of chemo? Which chemo agent(s)? Did you have metastases?
Hi I am about a yr out after my 1st diagnosis of Lobular Breast cancer. Had 16 rounds of Chemo. Full mastectomy and on my last 2 rounds out of 30 radation. All lymphnodes removed under left arm. One of the drugs my Oncologist want me to go on is Versino .. has anyone e heard anything about this drug or have been on the drug. Do not like what i see on side effects
I should get a call Monday from Cleveland Clinic to schedule. After the bone scan last week I got a call from the oncologist all excited that the bone scan was negative and we could move ahead with surgery. Tuesday they had their tumor board meeting and the pathologist is so sure its mets that they want the second biopsy, which I'll do, but though the initial biopsy didn't have enough atypical cells or staining to be diagnostic, I don't know if a negative will be enough. 3 months of this is a lot.
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