# Ductal lavage

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**Ductal lavage** is a screening method[1] used in at-risk women for [breast cancer](/source/Breast_cancer) detection. In this method, cells are collected from [milk ducts](/source/Milk_duct) in the [breast](/source/Breast). The procedure involves inserting a [catheter](/source/Catheter) (tube) into the [nipple](/source/Nipple), which releases a small amount of [salt water](/source/Saline_water) into the [duct](/source/Duct_(anatomy)). The water picks up breast cells and the entire fluid is then retrieved and sent to be examined for cells, which are checked under a [microscope](/source/Microscope).[2] Apart from [clinical](/source/Physical_examination) [breast examination](/source/Breast_examination) and [mammography](/source/Mammography), ductal lavage can also be used to detect [breast cancer](/source/Breast_cancer).

## Procedure

Ductal lavage is a [non-invasive](/source/Non-invasive_procedure) screening procedure. It is used to detect precancerous and cancerous cells in the breast ducts. It is a safe and well-tolerated procedure.[3] Some doctors might apply anesthetic cream to numb the nipple area.[4] In ductal lavage, the doctor applies [suction](/source/Suction) to the nipple in order to bring out fluid from the milk ducts that eventually end at the nipple. A micro-[catheter](/source/Catheter) is inserted into the milk duct and the fluid is washed into the duct to rinse out the cells. The fluid is then retrieved from the nipple and sent for laboratory evaluation. This procedure is also called a "Breast [Pap-Smear](/source/Pap_test)" by some doctors.[5]

## Ductal Lavage and Detection for Breast Cancer

There is much controversy around whether or not does ductal lavage actually help detect breast cancer. Earlier researches, in particular, have deemed it has a good tool for [risk assessment](/source/Risk_assessment) for breast cancer.[6][7] Though a 2004 study[8] led by researchers at [Northwestern Memorial Hospital](/source/Northwestern_Memorial_Hospital), which also appeared in the [Journal of the National Cancer Institute](/source/Journal_of_the_National_Cancer_Institute), argued that ductal lavage might not be an effective method for detecting breast cancer. Seema Khan, M.D., the lead author of the study and the interim director of the Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center and surgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital explained, "This study raises serious questions about the utility of ductal lavage as a cancer detection test and shows us that women should not be offered ductal lavage as a method of breast cancer detection. Mammography and physical examination remain the most effective methods of early detection. Ductal lavage does remain promising as a method for obtaining more information about the level of breast cancer risk."

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Love, Susan M. (2015). *Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book, Sixth Edition*. Boston, Massachusetts: Da Capo Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7382-1822-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7382-1822-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Love, Susan M. (2015). *Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book*. Boston, Massachusetts: Da Capo Press. p. 123. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7382-1822-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7382-1822-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Lindsey, Heather (2001-02-01). ["Ductal lavage offers new screening option for breast cancer"](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(00)00218-7/abstract). *The Lancet Oncology*. **2** (2): 70. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/S1470-2045(00)00218-7](https://doi.org/10.1016%2FS1470-2045%2800%2900218-7). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1470-2045](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1470-2045).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Ductal Lavage"](https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/ductal). *Breastcancer.org*. 2016-06-23. Retrieved 2019-09-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Ductal Lavage"](https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/ductal). *Breastcancer.org*. 2016-06-23. Retrieved 2019-09-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Lindsey, Heather (2001-02-01). ["Ductal lavage offers new screening option for breast cancer"](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(00)00218-7/abstract). *The Lancet Oncology*. **2** (2): 70. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/S1470-2045(00)00218-7](https://doi.org/10.1016%2FS1470-2045%2800%2900218-7). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1470-2045](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1470-2045).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Domchek, Susan M (2002). ["The utility of ductal lavage in breast cancer detection and risk assessment"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC138718). *Breast Cancer Research*. **4** (2): 51–53. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1186/bcr421](https://doi.org/10.1186%2Fbcr421). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1465-5411](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1465-5411). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [138718](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC138718). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [11879562](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11879562).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Lindsey, Heather (2004-12-01). ["Ductal lavage may not detect breast cancer"](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(04)01637-7/abstract). *The Lancet Oncology*. **5** (12): 704. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/S1470-2045(04)01637-7](https://doi.org/10.1016%2FS1470-2045%2804%2901637-7). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1470-2045](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1470-2045). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [15599995](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15599995).

## External links

- [Ductal lavage](http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary?CdrID=44492) entry in the public domain NCI Cancer Dictionary

v t e Tests and procedures involving the breast Breast surgery Breast-conserving surgery Lumpectomy Segmental resection Wide local excision Quadrantectomy Mastectomy Radical mastectomy Breast augmentation Trans-umbilical breast augmentation Mammaplasty Breast implant Breast reduction SPAIR Mastopexy Breast reconstruction Interventions on the Lactiferous ducts Ductal lavage Ductoscopy Microdochectomy Central duct excision Breast imaging Mammography Positron emission mammography Tomosynthesis Xeromammography Galactography Breast MRI Breast ultrasound Automated whole-breast ultrasound Scintimammography Elastography Other Breast biopsy Fine-needle aspiration Breast cancer screening Breast self-examination Ductal lavage Breast duct endoscopy

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ductal lavage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ductal_lavage) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ductal_lavage?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.