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What does 'classical' lobular mean?

Page last modified on: September 26, 2008
Question from Beth: Please explain a tumor described as "classical" lobular.
Answer —Ann Ainsworth, M.D.: Classical lobular carcinoma arises from the lobules of the breast (the milk-making cells) and invades the breast tissue as single cells in a line (you may see the term "Indian file," in your pathology report, to describe this finding). Invasive duct carcinoma grows as small ducts or groups of cells. Signet cell carcinoma is another form of invasive lobular carcinoma, but it is less common than the classical type. The growth pattern of classical invasive lobular carcinoma is very easy to recognize.

On Wednesday, November 17, 2004, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Your Operative and Pathology Reports. Beth Baughman Dupree, M.D., F.A.C.S. and Ann Ainsworth, M.D. answered your questions about details of pathology and operative reports and the importance of discussing them with your doctors.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S.Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a general surgeon. Her clinical practice is located at Holy Redeemer Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center.

Ann Ainsworth, M.D. is a surgical pathologist at Paoli, Bryn Mawr, and Lankenau Hospitals in Pennsylvania.

Marisa Weiss, M.D.Marisa Weiss, M.D., a Philadelphia oncologist, is the founder and president of Breastcancer.org.

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