On the significance of nipple discharge in the diagnosis of breast disease.

Nipple discharge, especially the blood-stained type, is regarded as an important symptom in breast disease. In many reports the high incidence of malignancy is stressed and an active surgical approach has often been recommended. In this series of 80 women with nipple discharge the type of secretion and the result of exfoliative cytology were evaluated. Three women had cancer but the nipple discharge was important for the diagnosis in only one case. Six women had papilloma and in all the nipple discharge was essential for the diagnosis. Fibroadenosis and duct ectasia were the most common diagnoses. The blood-stained secretion was due to fibroadenosis in about half of the cases. No cancer was found in 46 women with a serous secretion. When a tumour is present nipple discharge is of little importance for the diagnosis and treatment. In the absence of a tumour and when exfoliative cytology gives no suspicion of cancer and no atypical cells or papillomatous clusters are present, an expectant attitude towards surgery seems satisfactory. With such an approach many surgical biopsies prove unnecessary, but a prerequisite is an organized follow-up.