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By Mayo Clinic staffLCIS begins as an abnormal growth of cells in a milk-producing gland of the breast (lobule). The growth remains in place in the lobule and doesn't extend into, or invade, nearby breast tissue. However, having LCIS puts you at increased risk and makes it more likely that you could develop invasive breast cancer.
Experts don't know if LCIS results from genetic mutations that occur during the course of your lifetime. Also, it's unclear whether there's an association between LCIS and a family history of breast cancer or environmental or hormonal exposures. So far, no specific genes, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, have been linked to the development of LCIS.
- Sabel MS. Lobular carcinoma in situ. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 9, 2009.
- Ableoff MD, et al. Cancer of the breast. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/136909859-11/840302961/1709/129.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06694-8..50099-3_4050. Accessed May 9, 2009.
- LCIS — lobular carcinoma in situ. Breastcancer.org. http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/lcis/index.jsp. Accessed May 9, 2009.
- Can breast cancer be found early? American Cancer Society. Accessed May 8, 2009.
- Symptoms and diagnosis of LCIS. Breastcancer.org. http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/lcis/symptoms_diagnosis.jsp. Accessed May 9, 2009.
- LCIS and breast cancer risk. Breastcancer.org. http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/lcis/cancer_risk.jsp. Accessed May 9, 2009.
- Treatment for LCIS. Breastcancer.org. http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/lcis/treatment.jsp. Accessed May 9, 2009.
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- Arpino G, et al. Premalignant and in situ breast disease: Biology and clinical implications. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2005;143:446.