Iowa Radiology Blog

What is lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)?

LCIS refers to abnormal cell growth in the lobules (milk-producing glands) of the breast. In contrast to invasive lobular carcinoma, LCIS remains contained within the lobules without spreading beyond its original site. While it’s most commonly found in women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, LCIS affects women of all ages.[1]

What is invasive ductal carcinoma?

The most common form of breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) accounts for about 80% of all breast cancers.[1] Like ductal carcinoma in situ, IDC begins in the milk ducts. Rather than remaining contained there, however, IDC spreads outside the milk ducts to infiltrate other tissues.

Getting called back after your mammogram for follow-up can be stressful and worrying—even more so if you’re not sure what the results of your follow-up tests may mean for your health. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the most commonly diagnosed form of non-invasive breast cancer, accounting for about 1 in 5 breast cancer cases. Each year, approximately 60,000 patients in the U.S. are diagnosed with DCIS.[1] Learn what you should know if you or someone you love is touched by this condition.

Gynecologic cancers cause more than 30,000 deaths in the U.S. and affect more than 95,000 women every year. These include ovarian, uterine, cervical, vaginal, an vulvar cancers. For Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, we’re sharing information about each type of gynecologic cancer. In part one of this series, we discussed ovarian and uterine cancers. This week, we’re covering cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers.

Gynecologic cancers affect more than 95,000 women and cause more than 30,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Gynecologic cancers include cancers of the ovaries, uterus, cervix, vagina, and vulva. While uterine cancer is the most commonly diagnosed of these, the difficulty of diagnosing ovarian cancer early makes it the most deadly.

While mammography is the only breast cancer screening tool proven to reduce deaths through early detection, other methods of imaging are useful when mammography alone doesn’t provide the information needed. MRI is a valuable modality for getting a closer look at confirmed or suspected breast cancer as well as providing additional protection for women at high risk.

Mammography is the only breast cancer screening tool that has been proven to reduce deaths through early detection. However, other imaging modalities can be valuable when a supplement or alternative to mammography is needed. Women who are unable to undergo mammography or whose mammography images provide insufficient information are often referred for breast ultrasound.

Although breast pain can be worrying as well as uncomfortable, it is not typically a sign of breast cancer. The most common cause of painful breasts is a fluctuation in hormones, but a number of other conditions can also be at the root of the problem. Read on to better understand what may be causing your pain and when to consult your doctor.

Why does breast density matter?

Beginning this year, all mammography reports in Iowa must contain information about the patient’s breast density and, for patients with dense breasts, information about how density relates to breast cancer risk and screening. As a result, many women are now seeing this information on their mammography reports for the first time. If you’re among them, it’s likely that you have some questions about what it means.

When and how often should women get mammograms?

Iowa Radiology follows the guidelines set out by the American College of Radiology (ACR), which recommends beginning annual mammography screening at age 40. Research has shown that this screening regimen is associated with saving the most lives and the greatest number of life years. The ACR does not set an upper age limit for mammography, advising women to continue screening for as long as they are healthy and wish to remain so.^[1]