Identification of breast cancer in patients with pathologic nipple discharge: does ductoscopy predict malignancy?

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to review characteristics of patients with nipple discharge who underwent ductoscopy-assisted excisional biopsy who had a final diagnosis of carcinoma.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients presenting with pathologic nipple discharge (PND) who underwent ductoscopy-assisted excisional biopsy and had a final diagnosis of carcinoma.

Results: A total of 14 (7%) of 188 patients who underwent ductoscopy-assisted excision had a final pathology of ductal carcinoma-in-situ (DCIS) (12/14, 86%) or invasive breast cancer with DCIS (2/14, 14%).