Ductal vs. lobular breast cancer: Symptoms, treatments, and more

Lobular breast cancer starts in the glands in the breast (lobules) that make milk. Ductal breast cancer starts in the milk ducts, which are small tubes that connect the lobules to the nipple.

Doctors may also refer to these cancers in different ways depending on whether and how far the cancer has spread. For example:

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), IDC is the most common type of breast cancer, accounting for 70% to 80% of diagnoses.

Doctors may diagnose breast cancer during routine breast scans. ILC and IDC diagnoses may also occur after a person notices symptoms of breast cancer, such as a lump, breast swelling, or an inverted nipple.

Both ILC and IDC can spread to other body parts, though the ACS suggests that ILC is more likely to affect both breasts at the time of diagnosis.

It is possible for a person to have ILC and IDC at the same time, since these are distinct types of breast cancer.

Treatment for ductal or lobular cancer may depend on the progression of the cancer and other factors, such as a person’s overall health.xc

To treat DCIS, healthcare professionals will typically recommend surgery to remove the affected cells. Some people may also need additional therapies, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, alongside this. Doctors typically recommend chemoprevention alone for LCIS.

With any type of breast cancer, early diagnosis and treatment tend to improve a person’s outlook.

A 2021 study suggests that the relative survival rate tends to be more favorable for ILC than IDC. However, the researchers suggest survival rates are more favorable for people with IDC than ILC after 10 to 15 years.

Various factors can affect a person’s breast cancer outlook, including how far the cancer has spread, other health factors, and their response to treatment. For a more personalized outlook, people can speak with a healthcare professional.