Lobular cancer, a type of breast cancer, is found in 15 to 20 percent of breast cancer patients. Lobular cancer begins in the milk glands of the breast. Lobular cancer can be hard to detect because of its location in the breast; however, even large tumors in the lobular glands can be removed with favorable results. According to the Mayo Clinic, lobular cancer doesn't typically form a distinct lump in the breast but more of a fullness or thickening of the area. Treatment for lobular breast cancer varies according to the location of the cancer and size of the tumor.
Surgery
Surgery is the most common treatment for lobular cancer. For small tumors, a lumpectomy is done to remove the tumor and spare the breast. If the tumor is large, and you don't want your entire breast removed, chemotherapy prior to surgery could shrink the tumor, allowing the surgeon to remove the tumor and save your breast. During breast cancer surgery, your doctor will check your lymph nodes under your arm for cancer; if the cancer has spread from the breast to the lymph nodes, your doctor will inform you after surgery.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy may be recommended prior to surgery for large tumors. Shrinking the tumor helps doctors remove the tumor while causing less damage to the surrounding tissues. Chemotherapy is often prescribed after surgery to destroy any rogue cancer cells. Normally four to eight treatments of chemotherapy spanning 3 to 6 months is prescribed.
Radiation
After small lobular cancer tumors are removed, radiation therapy is prescribed. Radiation kills any cancer cells remaining in the breast and underarm tissues. Radiation helps prevent cancer from forming in the same area again. Radiation is done after chemotherapy if your doctor is prescribing both. Radiation is done over a 6-week period, and you may receive up to 30 treatments during that period.
Hormone Therapy
In some types of lobular cancer, hormone-blocking therapy is commonly used. The lobular tumor is tested for estrogen receptors. Estrogen, a hormone, has been found to make some types of breast cancer grow. By blocking estrogen and other hormones in the body, hormone-blocking therapy could stop the growth of a tumor or any cancer cells left after surgery.
Natural Treatment Options
Conventional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation in combination with holistic treatments can help you feel better, promote healing and improve your outcome. Vitamins, minerals and herbs can be part of any breast cancer treatment plan, but tell your doctors which ones you are taking. Curcumin, found in turmeric, can be used to treat inflammation in the body caused by chemotherapy and radiation. Curcumin has reduced breast cancer tumor growth in animal studies. According to Dr. Robert Newman, professor of experimental therapeutics at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and Dr. Keith Block, of Block Center for Integrative Treatment in Chicago, antioxidants may in fact increase survival rates, help tumors respond to treatment, decrease side effects of breast cancer treatments and help you finish treatment feeling better. The best source of antioxidants is fresh organic fruits and vegetables. During chemotherapy and radiation, your liver and kidneys have to work overtime to process all the chemicals entering your body. Changing your diet to include organic fruits, vegetables and more dark leafy greens will help detoxify your body so your liver and kidneys don't have to work as hard.
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