[Pathologic discharge from the breast. Galactography and histologic clarification (author's transl)].

Up until 31 December 1975, 1646 galactograms were made in 1150 female patients. The intentional segment resection and then the histologic preparation via complicated technique adapted to the excision was conducted 371 times. - In 99 out of 100 cases, an anatomic substrate could be found for the discharge. We were unable to discover any pathological finding to explain the discharge in only 3 cases (0.8%). Included in the benign processes were 170 cases of duct papillomas (45.8%). In these cases segment resection is also adequate therapy. - Approximately 8% of the excisions revealed cancer. In additional 12%, serious proliferative processes in the breast were found which should, at least, be kept under careful clinical supervision. - Galactography used in combination with an adapted surgical and histologic technique to diagnose not only a carcinoma which has evaded other methods of detection but also possible preliminary stages is a valuable procedure.