Diagnostic and Therapeutic Roles of Microdochectomy and Subareolar Ducts Excision for Pathological Nipple Discharge...

Pathological nipple discharge (PND) comprises less than 10% of presentation in breast clinics. Data on the management of nipple discharge (ND) in our environment are scarce.

To review management outcome in cohorts of patients with PND in our institution between December 2010 and October 2020.

This is a retrospective review of consecutive patients managed for PND between 2010 and 2020. Demographical characteristics, clinical features, investigation results and management outcome were retrieved from the clinical records for analysis. A cross-sectional survey via telephone conversation/clinic consultation was carried out to monitor patients for post-operative complications and recurrence.

There were 25 patients (18 microdochectomies and 7 subareolar duct excisions) in the study with a median age of 44 (37.5-49.5) years. The median duration of symptoms before presentation was 3 (2.5-5.5) months. The major characteristics of ND in the study cohort were: single duct orifice in 18 patients (72%) spontaneous ND in 14 patients (56%); right ND in 15 patients (60%); and bloody ND in 21 patients (84 %). Only one patient had a family history of breast cancer. Intraductal papilloma diagnosed in 9 patients (36%) was the most common cause of PND. Breast cancer was an underlying aetiology in 28% of patients in the series. Six out of 7 patients with breast cancer diagnosis were <50years.

Most women with PND in our practice were young with predominance of spontaneous bloody discharge. Intraductal papilloma was the most common cause of PND in this study. Breast cancer accounted for about a third of cases.