• In situ lobular cancer—a form that more commonly occurs in both breasts—is thought by some to be less
malignant , but patients with this lesion have a 25 percent risk of developing some form of invasive cancer in
either breast over many years.
There are some differences of opinion about management of these patients. Standard treatment can include
periodic examinations (including mammography) and follow-up without any additional therapy. This may be
adequate if the patient is aware of the long-term risk of developing invasive cancer and will participate in the
frequent evaluations. Axillary lymph node dissection is not necessary.
An alternative is total mastectomy on both sides. This choice is often appealing to women who don't want to have examinations several times a year, mammograms once or twice a year and the constant worry that invasive cancer may be found during their next visit to the doctor.
