title: The use of ductal lavage as a screening tool in women at high risk for developing breast carcinoma.
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.
authors.affiliation: The Comprehensive Breast Center at Bryn Mawr Hospital, 101 S. Bryn Mawr Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, USA. carrutherscatherine@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Catherine D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Carruthers
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Chapleskie
authors.forename: Mary Beth
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Frazier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation