[Diagnostic management of nipple discharge]

Nipple discharge may be a symptom of a variety of diseases. The importance of nipple discharge is its possible association with breast carcinoma. Not only the precise clinical evaluation but also particularly imaging evaluation by mammography, ultrasound, galactography or MR-galactography is necessary to establish the exact diagnosis and plan proper treatment. Depending on the underlying pathology--most commonly intraductal papilloma, fibrocystic changes or breast carcinoma--the optimal therapeutic regimen, such as single lactiferous duct excision on the one end and modified radical mastectomy on the other end of the spectra may be chosen.