Carcinoma lobulillar infiltrante de mama: etapa clínica, características radiológicas e histológicas

Background: The characteristics of the infiltrating lobular carcinoma of the breast are not clear, this is caused by special histological and biological features. Objective: To identify the clinical stage and correlate it with the radiological and histological features of the disease to make an opportune diagnosis. Patients and methods: From January 1st, 2003 to July 31st, 2004 we identified 68 cases of infiltrating lobular carcinoma at the Luis Castelazo Ayala Hospital. The cases were classified by clinical, radiological and histological features. The results were expressed in media and standard deviation. The difference between the mixed and pure lobular carcinoma types were compared by chi-square test. Results: From 68 patients, 31 had mixed lobular carcinoma, 20 pure, 12 were eliminated because the patient’s records were not found and five because the definitive histological report was not lobular carcinoma. The median age for both groups was 50 years old. The most affected region was the upper one (>80%). The hormonal receptor was more frequently expressed in the pure subtype (p < 0.04), this latter was associated to a delayed diagnosis (p < 0.03). Mammography was considered useful for diagnosis. Conclusions: The histological behavior of lobular carcinoma is related to non clear characteristics and to delayed diagnosis; however, with a careful evaluation these features can be recognized and make possible an opportune mammography.