[The diagnosis and treatment of nipple discharge in 253 cases]

Among 253 cases of nipple discharge, 96 cases of them were diagnosed as intracanalicular papilloma(37.9%), 73 cases as cystic disease of breast(28.9%), 41 cases as mammary duct ectasia (16.2%), 35 cases as breast cancer(13.8%) and 8 cases as acute suppurative mastitis(3.2%). The masses beneath areolar region were smaller those outside areola. Finding of cancer cells or suspicious cancer cells through cytologic examination of nipple discharge smear and breast mass puncture usually had important significance. In addition, near infrared ray scanning shows high rate of correct diagnosis; estimation of carcinoembryonic autigen(CEA) in nipple discharge is beneficial to the early diagnosis of malignant diseases.