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A thorough breast assessment consists of a history, physical
and personalized breast cancer risk
assessment. If findings indicate an
elevated risk for breast cancer, ductal
lavage can be performed to determine
if abnormal cells are present in the
breast fluid.
Ductal lavage can determine the presence of abnormal cancer cells in the breast
long before tumors can be felt or found on mammogram's. These results are used
in deciding on treatment options and the use of medication to prevent the development
of breast cancer.
Ductal lavage is a minimally invasive procedure that can be done in the doctor’s
office during an office visit. After a local anesthetic is placed on the nipple,
a minute catheter is placed into the duct. No incision at all is made. Fluid
is withdrawn and a laboratory analysis performed.
Ductal lavage is not performed as a routine screening for breast cancer, but
it is indicated for patients that have a high risk of breast cancer. This would
include patients who have had a lumpectomy performed for previous breast cancer,
patients with a strong family history of breast cancer, and patients who are
having abnormal discharge from the breast.
Dr. Darius Francescatti of University Surgeons was one of the first breast
surgeons in the Chicago area to offer this diagnostic option, and has extensive
experience in performing ductal lavage in his office. He has lectured extensively
and taught this procedure to other breast surgeons.
If you feel you are at high risk for breast cancer and would like to see if
you are a candidate for ductal lavage, please call us at 312-942-6500 for more
information or to make an appointment for evaluation.
For more about Darius S. Francescatti,
M.D.
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