Table 7:
Clinical Utility of Ductal Lavage
Candidates for Ductal Lavage (DL):
  • High-risk patients considering tamoxifen
    • History of atypical ductal hyperplasia
    • History of lobular carcinoma in situ
  • BRCA mutation carriers
  • Personal history of breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ
    (DL performed in contralateral breast)
  • Family history of breast cancer, ie,
    • Two 1st-degree relatives
    • One 1st-degree relative with bilateral breast cancer
    • Three relatives on one side of the family
    • Relatives with breast and ovarian cancer
  • High-risk patients (Gail score >1.7)
  • Patients considering long-term HRT
  • Patients who meet clinical trial criteria
Patients Who Are Not Candidates for DL:
  • Abnormal mammogram or ultrasound
  • Abnormal physical examination
  • Prior breast surgery near the nipple (within 2 cm)
  • Prior radiation to the breast area
  • Low risk patients
  
Copyright 2003 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

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