Breast Surgeons at Beth Israel's Cancer Center Perform Ductoscopy in the Doctor's Office Rather than in the Operating Room: Live Webcast Powered by slp3D

New Technique to Detect Breast Cancer. Ductoscopy can identify early changes in the breast similar to colonoscopy for the colon.

NEW YORK -- October 6, 2003 - Over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States this year. Early detection remains the key to a favorable outcome. Research has shown that most breast cancers originate in the milk ducts of the breast. Ductal lavage is an outpatient procedure which allows a sampling of cells from the milk ducts. Now, breast surgeons at Beth Israel Medical Center are taking ductal lavage one step further with a new technique called mammary ductoscopy with intraductal biopsy, which is the focus of a live webcast on Wednesday, October 15, 2003, at 6:00 pm EDT. This procedure involves the placement of a tiny catheter into the milk duct, through which the surgeon inserts a tiny (0.7 mm) fiberoptic endoscope (with a camera at the end of it), enabling the physician to visualize on a video monitor the breast ducts 60 times their actual size.

Susan K. Boolbol, M.D., breast surgeon at Beth Israels Cancer Center explains, With ductal lavage, a tiny catheter is placed into the nipple and fluid is aspirated from the milk duct and then is sent to the laboratory and analyzed. With ductoscopy, a fiberoptic endoscope is inserted into the milk duct, enabling the physician to actually visualize the inside of the milk ducts and biopsy any abnormalities seen at that time. This information may affect further follow-up and treatment."

Sheldon Feldman, M.D., Chief of the Louis Venet, MD Comprehensive Breast Service at Beth Israel says, Ductoscopy allows us to obtain real-time information about changes in the milk ducts. This incredibly exciting new technology allows us to access the source of most breast cancer. Intraductal evaluation has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of breast disease. With ductoscopy, sedation is not required. A local anesthetic cream is applied to the nipple as needed. This allows for the patient to see the images displayed on the computer screen, along with the physician. The entire procedure for ductoscopy with intraductal biopsy takes approximately 45 minutes and is well tolerated." CME credit available.

To Access Broadcast: www.or-live.com/bethisrael/1144

Michelle Pipia-Stiles -- Beth Israel Medical Center
212-523-7772
mstiles@chpnet.org

Carol Green -- slp3D
860-953-2900 x214
cgreen@slp3d.com