The Diagnosis of Pleomorphic Lobular Carcinoma In Situ Warrants Complete Excision with Negative Margins

The radiological features, diagnosis and management of screen-detected lobular neoplasia of the breast: Findings from the Sloane Project

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the radiological features, diagnosis and management of screen-detected lobular neoplasia (LN) of the breast.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

392 women with pure LN alone were identified within the prospective UK cohort study of screen-detected non-invasive breast neoplasia (the Sloane Project). Demography, radiological features and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures were analysed.

RESULTS

Non-pleomorphic LN (369/392) was most frequently diagnosed among women aged 50-54 and in 53.5% was at the first screen. It occurred most commonly on the left (58.0%; p = 0.003), in the upper outer quadrant and confined to one site (single quadrant or retroareolar region). No bilateral cases were found. The predominant radiological feature was microcalcification (most commonly granular) which increased in frequency with increasing breast density. Casting microcalcification as a predominant feature had a significantly higher lesion size compared to granular and punctate patterns (p = 0.034). 326/369 (88.3%) women underwent surgery, including 17 who underwent >1 operation, six who had mastectomy and six who had axillary surgery. Two patients had radiotherapy and 15 had endocrine treatment. Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ (23/392) presented as granular microcalcification in 12; four women had mastectomy and six had radiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Screen-detected LN occurs in relatively young women and is predominantly non-pleomorphic and unilateral. It is typically associated with granular or punctate microcalcification in the left upper outer quadrant. Management, including surgical resection, is highly variable and requires evidence-based guideline development.

UK national survey of management of breast lobular carcinoma in situ

INTRODUCTION

There is no national standard treatment for patients with breast lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). Association of Breast Surgery guidelines for the management of breast cancer suggest that lesions containing LCIS should be excised for definitive diagnosis and recommend close surveillance after excision biopsy. The aim of this study was to form a picture of the current management of LCIS by UK breast surgeons.

METHODS

A questionnaire about the management of LCIS was sent to 490 UK breast surgeons.

RESULTS

Of 490 questionnaires sent out, 173 (35%) were returned. When LCIS is present in a core biopsy, 61% of breast surgeons perform surgical excision, 22% would not excise but would continue follow-up and the remainder perform neither or set no clear management plan. Over half (54%) follow patients up with five years of annual mammography. If classic LCIS were found at the margins of wide local excision, 92% would not re-excise. Conversely, if pleomorphic LCIS were found, 71% would achieve clear margins. Respondents were split evenly regarding management of classic LCIS with a family history as 54% would not alter management whereas 43% would treat the disease more aggressively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our survey has shown that in cases where LCIS is found at core biopsy, most surgeons follow Association of Breast Surgery guidance, obtaining further histological samples to exclude pleomorphic LCIS, ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive cancer, whereas others opt for annual surveillance and some discharge the patient. This study highlighted the huge variability in LCIS management, and the need for randomised controlled trials and input into national audits such as the Sloane Project to establish evidence-based national standard guidelines.

Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ of the breast: Can the evidence guide practice?

The clinical significance of pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ (PLCIS) is a subject of controversy. As a consequence, there is a risk of providing inconsistent management to patients presenting with PLCIS. This review aims to establish whether the current guidelines for the management of PLCIS are consistent with current evidence. A systematic electronic search was performed to identify all English language articles regarding PLCIS management. The data was analysed, specifically looking at: incidence of concurrent disease, recurrence rates, long-term prognosis and PLCIS management. A search was also performed for PLCIS management guidelines for the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, Germany and pan-European. The results of the evidence analyses were compared to the guidelines in order to establish whether the recommended management is consistent with the published evidence. Nine studies (level 3-4 evidence), involving a total of 176 patients and five management guidelines (from United Kingdom, United States, Australia and pan-European) were included in the review. From the evidence, 46 of 93 (49%) patients were found to have PLCIS with concurrent invasive disease on excision specimen analysis. Regarding recurrence rates, 11 of 117 (9.4%) patients developed a recurrence of PLCIS. There were no instances of invasive disease or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) on recurrence histology. There were no studies assessing long-term outcomes in PLCIS cases. With regards to the management guidelines, the Association of Breast Surgery (United Kingdom) and the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Care (Australia) do not mention PLCIS. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (United States) suggest considering excision of PLCIS with negative margins. The NHS Breast Screening Programme (United Kingdom) and the European Society of Medical Oncology (pan-European) recommend PLCIS should be treated as with DCIS. We conclude that high quality evidence to inform guidance is lacking, thus recommendations are relatively vague. However, based on the available evidence, it would seem prudent to treat PLCIS in a similar manner to DCIS.