The use of ductal lavage as a screening tool in women at high risk for developing breast carcinoma.
Publication/Presentation Date
10-1-2007
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to determine if ductal lavage could predict the occurrence of breast cancer as well as further stratify patients at high-risk for developing breast cancer.
METHODS: Ductal lavage was performed in 116 high-risk patients (Gail Risk score > or = 1.7%, previous breast cancer, strong family history, previous suspicious biopsy specimen). If atypia or papillary cells were identified, a standard protocol of evaluation was initiated.
RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-three lavages were performed on 116 patients. Twenty-seven lavages in 25 patients yielded atypical or papillary-like cells. The 15 patients who underwent further evaluation for atypia had no evidence of cancerous or precancerous lesions. All patients were followed-up: 2 developed breast cancer, both of whom had had normal previous lavage. No patient with abnormal lavage developed cancer during follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: We find ductal lavage to be of limited value in the screening of high-risk patients and have removed it from our treatment algorithm.
Volume
194
Issue
4
First Page
463
Last Page
466
ISSN
1879-1883
Published In/Presented At
Carruthers, C. D., Chapleskie, L. A., Flynn, M. B., & Frazier, T. G. (2007). The use of ductal lavage as a screening tool in women at high risk for developing breast carcinoma. American journal of surgery, 194(4), 463–466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2007.06.020
PubMedID
17826056
Department(s)
Department of Surgery
Document Type
Article