Lobular carcinoma of the breast

Lobular carcinoma of the breast, both the in situ and the infiltrating type, is discussed on the basis of three observations. Mammography may be useful, although if often leads to the diagnosis of mastopathy. In cases of in situ lobular carcinoma, ablation of the breast constitutes an adequate therapy. The adequacy of subcutaneous removal of the mammary parenchyma is doubtful. In infiltrating lobular carcinoma, radical mastectomy by Halsted's or Patey's method is the treatment of choice. In view of the frequent bilaterality of the condition, an ample elective biopsy of the identical quadrant of the contralateral breast should be performed in every case.