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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Establishment and Evaluation of a Risk Prediction Model for Pathological Escalation of Gastric Low-Grade Intraepithelial Neoplasia
03:05

Establishment and Evaluation of a Risk Prediction Model for Pathological Escalation of Gastric Low-Grade Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Published on: February 16, 2024

Predicting occult malignancy in nipple discharge.

Chris Alcock1, Graham T Layer

  • 1Department of Breast Surgery, The Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, GU2 7XX, UK Postgraduate Medical School, University of Surrey, UK. chrisalcock@doctors.org.uk

ANZ Journal of Surgery
|September 16, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Preoperative tests for pathological nipple discharge have limited accuracy in detecting malignancy. Surgical duct excision remains the most reliable method for diagnosis and treatment of nipple discharge causes.

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Area of Science:

  • Breast Surgery
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Surgical Pathology

Background:

  • Pathological nipple discharge necessitates investigation to rule out malignancy.
  • Clinical examination, mammography, ultrasonography, and cytology are commonly used for assessment.
  • Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing duct surgery for pathological nipple discharge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative investigations in predicting malignancy in patients with pathological nipple discharge.
  • To compare the sensitivity and specificity of various diagnostic methods against surgical pathology findings.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 55 female patients (24-82 years) undergoing minor or major duct excision between 2004-2006.
  • 49 patients had surgery for pathological nipple discharge.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Establishment and Evaluation of a Risk Prediction Model for Pathological Escalation of Gastric Low-Grade Intraepithelial Neoplasia
03:05

Establishment and Evaluation of a Risk Prediction Model for Pathological Escalation of Gastric Low-Grade Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Published on: February 16, 2024

  • Comparison of preoperative investigation results with surgical pathology diagnoses.

    • Main Results:

    • Malignancy was diagnosed in 6 of 49 patients (carcinoma, lobular carcinoma in situ).
    • Mammography and ultrasonography failed to detect malignancy in any of the affected patients.
    • Cytological analysis showed atypical cells in only 2 of 6 malignant cases. Blood in nipple discharge had a sensitivity of 0.83 but a low positive predictive value (0.20).

    Conclusions:

    • Preoperative diagnostic tests for pathological nipple discharge have limited value in predicting malignancy.
    • Ductal surgery is the most reliable method for diagnosing the cause of nipple discharge.
    • Surgical excision serves as both the primary diagnostic and therapeutic measure.