Specialists Offer Procedure to Monitor Women at Higher Risk.(ductal lavage to be used for breast cancer diagnosis)

2001 FEB 15 - (NewsRx.com) -- Breast health experts at the University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, have started using a procedure to monitor women who are at higher risk for breast cancer.

The procedure, ductal lavage, allows specialists to collect cells from the lining of a woman's milk ducts and analyze the sample for the earliest stages of cancer and other irregularities. Studies suggest that about 95% of breast cancers begin in the ductal system of the breast.

"Ductal lavage is another important tool for women at higher-risk for breast cancer, along with annual mammograms and regular clinical exams and monthly self exams," said Health Center specialist Kristen Zarfos, MD, who was recently trained to perform ductal lavage procedures along with Scott H. Kurtzman, MD.

"Preliminary studies about this procedure are very encouraging. For the first time, this procedure will allow us to look at the cellular activity of the lining of the milk ducts," Zarfos said. "This could be a very useful adjunct to existing tools to help detect breast cancer in its earliest stages," she added.

By collecting cells directly from the milk ducts, the minimally invasive ductal lavage procedure functions like a "Pap Smear for the breast," Kurtzman explained. The procedure may allow for an early determination of pre-malignant or malignant cells from their source of origin. Ductal lavage gives physicians and patients additional information and time to make decisions about management and therapeutic options.

The ductal lavage procedure is done during an outpatient visit ...