The Value of Isolated Nipple Discharge a Retrospective Analysis of 46 Cases

Abstract

Background: Nipple discharge is one of presenting symptoms of breast disease. It accounts 6-10% from the total presenting diseases of the breast. It's horrible to the patient and dilemma to the surgeon if presenting alone.Aim: To evaluate the significance of isolated nipple discharge. Patients and methods: The data of 46 patients with isolated nipple discharge in medical city and Al-Jamiaa private hospital in Baghdad from 1995-2005. All assessed triply to exclude those with other breast finding other than discharge.Thier discharges were examined macro- and microscopically. All patients subjected to radical sub-areolar microduchectomy (Hadfield), and the histopathological results of specimens were reviewed.Results: Macroscopically nipple discharge either bloody 21 cases or non-bloody 25 cases. Microscopically; 26 cases were RBCs+ ve, one of them reported as invasive ductal carcinoma, ductal papilloma was the most prevalent underlying lesion. The remaining RBCs-ve cases 20 there were 4 malignant cases, 2 cases ductal carcinoma insitu, 1 case lobular carcinoma insitu and 1 case invasive ductal carcinoma. Ductal papilloma was also the most prevalent underlying lesion.Conclusion: Nipple discharge is an important sign of underlying breast disease whether bloody or not. Not all non-bloody discharges are RBC free. In the absence of the organic lesion in the breast it is important to analyze the discharge cytological