[Practical guidelines in case of nipple discharge]

Area of Science:

• Medical diagnostics
• Women's health
• Symptom management

Background:

• Nipple discharge is a common clinical presentation in women, frequently associated with anxiety about breast cancer.
• While nearly 90% of nipple discharge cases are benign, the primary clinical challenge lies in accurately ruling out malignant pathologies.

Approach:

• This review outlines a systematic clinical approach for evaluating patients with nipple discharge.
• Emphasis is placed on detailed history taking and physical examination to guide appropriate diagnostic imaging.
• The goal is to minimize unnecessary invasive procedures by defining a targeted workup.

Key Points:

• Common etiologies of nipple discharge are detailed, covering both benign and malignant conditions.
• A structured diagnostic pathway is presented to differentiate causes of discharge.
• The importance of clinical assessment in selecting the most effective imaging modalities is highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of nipple discharge relies on a thorough understanding of its causes and a systematic diagnostic strategy.
• This approach aims to efficiently identify malignancy while reassuring patients with benign conditions.
• Minimizing invasive testing through targeted evaluation improves patient care and reduces healthcare costs.