Nipple Discharge from the Breast

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Abstract
Abnormal nipple discharge is rare, constituting only 3-5% of mammary consultation. Patients (267) with primary nipple discharge operated on between Jan. 1, 1960 and Dec., 1974 were evaluated. In all cases the nipple discharge was symptomatic, spontaneous and represented the primary reason for the patient''s consultation. During the same period 1145 cases of nipple discharge were treated. Of the 1145 cases with symptomatic nipple discharge, 267 patients (23%) required surgical intervention. Among these, fibrocystic disease and duct ectasia were the leading causes of nipple discharge occurring in 42% of surgical specimens. Of the patients, 21% had carcinoma and 35% had intraductal papilloma. The overall incidence of malignancy was 4.8% among the 1145 women with nipple discharge. On the average, patients with nipple discharge due to malignancy were 10 yr older than those with benign lesions. Approximately 25% of patients with malignant discharge and 5% with benign discharge have associated tumor. Over 60% of the patients with both discharge and a mass had malignancy.