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Potential New Screening Test For Breast Cancer Researchers have developed a new method for breast cancer detection. The technique uses ductal lavage to flush cells from the lining of breast cancer ducts, revealing cancer cells often before they can be detected by mammogram or other screening tests. “Breast cancer can be cured when it is diagnosed in an early stage,” says Sara Sukumar, Ph.D., professor of oncology and director of the study. “Unfortunately, existing screening methods have recognized limitations that allow some breast cancers to go undetected. We believe that this new method could be a powerful addition to existing techniques.” Sukumar envisions using the ductal lavage method in combination with cytology and mammography to improve detection rates. However, she cautions that these are early studies, and additional clinical trials to further test the sensitivity and accuracy of the test are needed. The investigators used a technique called methylationspecific PCR (MSP) to examine cells collected from the breast duct for a genetic alteration known as hypermethylation, an abnormality that turns off key tumor suppressor genes and leads to cancer susceptibility. The method was successful in detecting hypermethylated genes in irrigation fluids obtained during breast endoscopy in 17 of 20 women already known to have breast cancer, including several cases where samples were too small to be tested by standard cytology methods. The research team then performed the MSP test on ductal fluid of 56 high-risk women with normal mammograms and breast exams. They used a tiny catheter to inject saline and wash cells from the lining, or epithelium, of the breast ducts, the site where most breast cancers originate. This analysis revealed five women with cytology markers very suspicious for cancer; among these, two were subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer. Ductal lavage from both these women showed a MSP test positive for cancer cells. Clinical trials of the procedure are now being planned. Last Modified on August 12, 2002. |
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