Nipple Discharge Screening

Mammographic and Sonographic Findings of Intraductal Papilloma of the Right Breast: A Case Report

Intraductal papillomas are tumors that arise in the epithelial cells of the mammary duct. Common presenting symptoms for intraductal papilloma include serous or serosanguinous nipple discharge or a palpable mass. We present a case of a 48-year-old woman who presented with spontaneous right breast nipple discharge and a palpable mass. Diagnostic imaging for the patient included mammography and ultrasound with color doppler imaging that revealed a mass at eight o'clock in the right breast at a distance of 2 cm from the nipple and that corresponded to the area of palpable concern. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided biopsy of the mass confirmed a diagnosis of intraductal papilloma. Surgical excision may be required in many cases of an intraductal papilloma due to the variety of diagnoses that can be included on the differential, the increased risk for cellular atypia, and the treatment for spontaneous nipple discharge.

Management of Intraductal Papilloma of the Breast Diagnosed on Core Needle Biopsy: Latest Controversies

Intraductal papillomas (IDPs), including central papilloma and peripheral papilloma, are common in the female population. Due to the lack of specific clinical manifestations of IDPs, it is easy to misdiagnose or miss diagnose. The difficulty of differential diagnosis using imaging techniques also contributes to these conditions. Histopathology is the gold standard for the diagnosis of IDPs while the possibility of under sample exists in the percutaneous biopsy. There have been some debates about how to treat asymptomatic IDPs without atypia diagnosed on core needle biopsy (CNB), especially when the upgrade rate to carcinoma is considered. This article concludes that further surgery is recommended for IDPs without atypia diagnosed on CNB who have high-risk factors, while appropriate imaging follow-up may be suitable for those without risk factors.

Current Understanding and Management of Plasma Cell Mastitis: Can We Benefit from What We Know?

BACKGROUND

Plasma cell mastitis (PCM), also known as mammary duct ectasia, is a chronic nonbacterial breast inflammation characterized by duct expansion and plasma cell infiltration. The severe and intense clinical manifestations profoundly affect the quality of life of female patients. Although the pathological process of PCM is known to include four stages (duct dilatation, inflammation, abscess and fistula), there is still lack of imaging techniques and serum markers with high specificity in clinical practice. Due to recurrent acute attacks and the prolonged healing process of the disease, most patients choose to accept mastectomy.

SUMMARY

We searched for studies, reports and reviews referring to PCM in the past 20 years; more than half of the results were related to animal studies, and little attention has been paid to human beings, which may explain the frequent misdiagnosis of PCM as breast cancer and the limited treatment options. This review focuses on the current diagnostic methods and markers for PCM and hierarchically discusses the typical clinical features, etiological causes and relevant molecular mechanisms of PCM.

KEY MESSAGES

We herein highlight the urgent need to develop more specific and sensitive biomarkers in the clinical laboratory. It will help to establish a standardized flowchart for the diagnosis and treatment of PCM in order to improve recovery for female patients.

Sports Medicine-Related Breast and Chest Conditions-Update of Current Literature

ABSTRACT

This article reviews the most up-to-date evidence-based recommendations pertaining to breast and upper chest conditions, specifically for the sports medicine physician. Because of the unique circumstances of the team physician, they can see a wide breadth of pathology. Athletes may not have a primary care physician and may prefer to present to their team physician for breast and upper chest conditions. It is often more comfortable and convenient for athletes to seek treatment in the team setting. Therefore, it is important that the medical professional be aware of not only common pathology but also of that which is rarer. Any delay in evaluation can result in unnecessary morbidity and lead to complications or extended time lost from sport. Consequently, it also is important to facilitate an atmosphere encouraging early presentation and workup.

Use of fiberoductoscopy for the management of pathological nipple discharge: ten years follow up of a single center in China

BACKGROUND

Pathological nipple discharge (PND) is usually associated with benign intraductal papilloma, which has a higher malignant rate than other benign tumors in most cases. Fiberoductoscopy (FDS) is an alternative possibility in diagnostic and finding lesions in PND patients. Previously, the bloody discharge was presumed to show papilloma or breast cancer. However, as we started using FDS, papilloma or cancer also can be found in the cases with a transparent or yellow discharge. This study investigated the value of FDS for the diagnosis and locating of intraductal lesions in cases with nipple discharge.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 3,696 cases that initially presented with pathologic nipple discharge was performed. There were 4,456 FDSs performed, and the correlations between the FDS findings for distinct types of lesions and the pathological diagnosis were determined.

RESULTS

Among the 2,816 cases of elevated lesions, FDS confirmed 1,933 cases of intraductal papilloma, 584 cases of intraductal papillomatosis, and 299 cases of intraductal carcinoma. Among the 880 cases of non-elevated lesions, FDS confirmed 380 cases of duct dilation, 350 cases of duct inflammation, 136 cases of duct dilation and inflammation, and 14 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). All patients followed up 3 months to 12 years. There were 241 DCIS in total, and 8 cases had local recurrence, 2 cases had metastasis. Invasive ductal carcinoma, 41 cases, 3 had recurrence and 3 had metastases, and 1 for death. Invasive lobular carcinoma 23 cases, recurrence 2 cases, metastasis 1 case.

CONCLUSIONS

FDS has a high positive predictive rate and correlates well with the results of the pathological examination. The advantage of FDS is that it can observe the lesions, increasing the detection rate of early stage breast cancer, simple to operate, low cost, and no need for the appointment, appropriate for Chinese conditions.

DBT-galactography: a promising tool for improving the diagnostic workup of nipple discharge

BACKGROUND

Our aim was to compare the diagnostic performance of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT)-galactography with that of full-field digital (FFD)-galactography for detecting intraductal breast lesions using an intra-individual design.

METHODS

Forty-nine consecutive patients with spontaneous, unilateral, single-pore nipple discharge and inconclusive FFD mammography and ultrasonography underwent galactography with a "COMBO" technique combining FFD- and DBT-galactography acquisitions. Examinations were independently analysed by two breast radiologists with 10-year experience. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for both FFD- and DBT-galactography were calculated having histological examinations of surgical specimens as a reference standard. Data were presented as percentages with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). McNemar test was used. Interobserver agreement was assessed by using Cohen κ test for both techniques.

RESULTS

Sensitivity was 41/43 (95%, 95% CI 84.2-99.4) for DBT-galactography and 33/43 (77%, 95% CI 61.4-88.2) for FFD-galactography (p = 0.008), specificity 6/6 (100%, 95% CI 54.1-100.0) for both imaging tools, accuracy 47/49 (96%, 95% CI 86.0-99.5) and 39/49 (80%, 95% CI 65.7-89.8) (p = 0.038), respectively. The inter-observer agreement was 0.86 for DBT-galactography and 0.78 for FFD-galactography. The AGD resulted to 1.94 ± 0.64 for the combined technique.

CONCLUSION

DBT-galactography showed a significantly higher sensitivity and accuracy than FFD-galactography for the identification of the intraductal findings, improving the possibility of a reliable diagnosis in patients with pathologic nipple-discharge.

Low-dose CT combined mammography in diagnosis of overflow breast disease: A protocol of systematic review

BACKGROUND

Overflow breast disease (OBD), also known as breast nipple discharge, refers fluid or liquid that comes out of nipple. Many patients with breast cancer experience such condition. However, it is not easy to detect it at early stage, especially for pathological OBD. Previous study found low-dose CT combined mammography (LDCTMG) could help in diagnosis of OBD. However, there is no systematic review investigating this issue. Therefore, this study will examine the accuracy of LDCTMG in diagnosis of OBD.

METHODS

This study protocol will search literature sources in electronic databases and other sources. The electronic databases will be retrieved in The Cochrane Library, the Cochrane Register of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies, PUBMED, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, CNKI, and WANGFANG from inception to the present. We will also search other sources. All literature sources will be sought without restrictions to the language and publication status. Two researchers will independently carry out study selection, data extraction, and study quality assessment. Statistical analysis will be performed using RevMan 5.3.

RESULTS

This study will exert a high-quality synthesis of eligible studies on the analysis of LDCTMG in diagnosis of OBD.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study may provide evidence to help judge whether LDCTMG is accurate in diagnosis of OBD.

STUDY REGISTRATION

INPLASY202050116.

MRI for assessment of pathologic nipple discharge: is it mandatory?

Background

Benign breast lesions is the most common cause of nipple discharge; however, a rare but major cause is breast cancer. This study assesses the superadded value of MRI in diagnosing causes of pathologic nipple discharge. Ninety-three patients with pathologic nipple discharge were evaluated by sonomammography and DCE-MRI. Sonomammography and MR imaging features were analyzed and correlated with the histopathology.

Results

Histopathology revealed 69 benign, three high-risk, and 21 malignant lesions. Simply dilated ducts and presence of a mass on US examination as well as non-mass enhancement and STIR signal changes on MRI were of statistically significant probability in differentiation between benign and malignant causes of pathological nipple discharge (p value = 0.017 and 0.001) and (p value ≤ 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of mammogram and ultrasound in differentiation between benign and malignant causes of pathologic nipple discharge were 71.4% and 54.2% respectively with positive predictive value of 31.2%,negative predictive value of 86.7%, and accuracy of 58.1%. MRI gave higher sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 83.3% with positive predictive value of 63.6%, negative predictive value of 100%, and accuracy of 87.1%.

Conclusion

Magnetic resonance imaging is superior to sonommagraphy in diagnosis of pathologic nipple discharge and we recommend it in special situations.

The impact of malignant nipple discharge cytology (NDc) in surgical management of breast cancer patients

Background

The role of nipple discharge cytology (NDc) in the surgical management of breast cancer patients is unclear. We aimed: (i) to evaluate the effect of malignant NDc on the surgical approach to the nipple-areola complex, and (ii) to verify the association between malignant NDc and nipple malignancy.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed a case series of 139 patients with NDc who underwent breast surgery. The clinical and histological findings, types of surgery with emphasis on nipple-areola complex amputation, immunohistochemical phenotypes of the carcinomas and measurements of the tumor-nipple distance were recorded. Additionally, in patients who showed HER2-positive lesions on definitive surgery, we evaluated the HER2 immunocytochemistry of the NDc smears.

Results

Thirty-two malignant and 107 benign/borderline NDc diagnoses were identified. All 32 malignant-NDc cases were histologically confirmed as malignant. Thirty borderline/benign-NDc cases were histologically diagnosed as malignant (sensitivity 58%). The majority of the patients with malignant NDc were treated with nipple-areola complex amputations in both the mastectomy and conservative surgery groups (P<0.001, χ²51.77). Nipple involvement was strongly associated with HER2-positive ductal carcinoma in-situ (P<0.001, χ²11.98). HER2 immunocytochemistry on the NDc revealed a 100% correlation with the immunocytochemistry performed on the surgical tissues.

Conclusions

Malignant NDc influenced surgical management. The association of malignant NDc with nipple involvement is highly related to ductal carcinoma in-situ with HER2 overexpression. In case of HER2 positive NDc, nipple-areola complex involvement is more likely than in HER2 negative cases.

Management of nipple discharge and the associated imaging findings

Nipple discharge is commonly encountered by health care providers, accounting for 2%-5% of medical visits by women. Because nipple discharge is the presenting symptom in 5% to 12% of breast cancers, it causes considerable anxiety for both patient and providers. Furthermore, the work-up and management of nipple discharge can be confusing. Fortunately, the cause of nipple discharge is usually benign, so the primary goal of evaluation and management is separation of patients with pathologic causes of discharge from those with benign or physiologic causes. The evaluation of nipple discharge requires a thorough history, careful physical examination, and an informed approach that selects the most suitable diagnostic modality. Primary care providers, working with their radiologists and surgeons, are well positioned to design appropriate diagnostic and management protocols to assess and treat nipple discharge. A thoughtful and prudent approach to nipple discharge should alleviate patient anxiety by efficiently and effectively defining the underlying etiology.

Primary care management of the female patient presenting with nipple discharge

Nipple discharge is a common primary care finding in female patients. The nurse practitioner must possess the skills and knowledge to correctly and safely manage this clinical finding. The following is a review of the etiology of nipple discharge, the differential diagnoses, and treatment modalities.

3.0 Tesla breast magnetic resonance imaging in patients with nipple discharge when mammography and ultrasound fail

OBJECTIVES

To compare 3.0 Tesla breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with galactography for detection of benign and malignant causes of nipple discharge in patients with negative mammography and ultrasound.

METHODS

We prospectively evaluated 56 breasts of 50 consecutive patients with nipple discharge who had inconspicuous mammography and ultrasound, using 3.0 Tesla breast MRI with a dedicated 16-channel breast coil, and then compared the results with galactography. Histopathological diagnoses and follow-ups were used as reference standard. Lesion size estimated on MRI was compared with the size at histopathology.

RESULTS

Sensitivity and specificity of MRI vs. galactography for detecting pathologic findings were 95.7 % vs. 85.7 % and 69.7 % vs. 33.3 %, respectively. For the supposed concrete pathology based on MRI findings, the specificity was 67.6 % and the sensitivity 77.3 % (PPV 60.7 %, NPV 82.1 %). Eight malignant lesions were detected (14.8 %). The estimated size at breast MRI showed excellent correlation with the size at histopathology (Pearson's correlation coefficient 0.95, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

MRI of the breast at 3.0 Tesla is an accurate imaging test and can replace galactography in the workup of nipple discharge in patients with inconspicuous mammography and ultrasound.

KEY POINTS

• Breast MRI is an excellent diagnostic tool for patients with nipple discharge. • MRI of the breast reveals malignant lesions despite inconspicuous mammography and ultrasound. • MRI of the breast has greater sensitivity and specificity than galactography. • Excellent correlation of lesion size measured at MRI and histopathology was found.

Liquid-Based Medium Used to Prepare Cytological Breast Nipple Fluid Improves the Quality of Cellular Samples Automatic Collection

Background

Breast cancer is the second cause of death in women worldwide. The spontaneous breast nipple discharge may contain cells that can be analyzed for malignancy. Halo^® Mamo Cyto Test (HMCT) was recently developed as an automated system indicated to aspirate cells from the breast ducts. The objective of this study was to standardize the methodology of sampling and sample preparation of nipple discharge obtained by the automated method Halo breast test and perform cytological evaluation in samples preserved in liquid medium (SurePath™).

Methods

We analyzed 564 nipple fluid samples, from women between 20 and 85 years old, without history of breast disease and neoplasia, no pregnancy, and without gynecologic medical history, collected by HMCT method and preserved in two different vials with solutions for transport.

Results

From 306 nipple fluid samples from method 1, 199 (65%) were classified as unsatisfactory (class 0), 104 (34%) samples were classified as benign findings (class II), and three (1%) were classified as undetermined to neoplastic cells (class III). From 258 samples analyzed in method 2, 127 (49%) were classified as class 0, 124 (48%) were classified as class II, and seven (2%) were classified as class III.

Conclusion

Our study suggests an improvement in the quality and quantity of cellular samples when the association of the two methodologies is performed, Halo breast test and the method in liquid medium.

Nipple discharge of CA15-3, CA125, CEA and TSGF as a new biomarker panel for breast cancer

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Serum biomarkers such as cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3), cancer antigen 125 (CA125), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) can be used as diagnostic and prognostic factors and can also provide valuable information during follow-up. However, serum protein biomarkers show limited diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in stand-alone assays because their levels reflect tumor burden. To validate whether biomarkers in nipple discharge may serve as novel biomarkers for breast cancer, we composed a panel of potential cancer biomarkers, including CA15-3, CA125, CEA, and malignant tumor-specific growth factor (TSGF), and evaluated their expression in both serum and nipple discharge in order to explore the expression and significance of estrogen receptor (ER), progestrone receptor (PR), epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2/neu), CA15-3, CA125, CEA, and TSGF expression for their combined predictive value for breast cancer and in judging the prognosis of breast cancer. Univariate analysis revealed that combined detection of CA15-3, CA125, CEA, and TSGF in nipple discharge served as novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer, but in the multivariate analyses the adverse effects of the four biomarkers combination in nipple discharge positivity on overall survival were lost. Multivariate analysis revealed that the positivity of the combined detection of the four biomarkers in both nipple discharge and serum was significantly higher than that of other detection methods. Thus, the combined detection of these four biomarkers both in serum and nipple discharge was retained as an independent prognostic variable in breast cancer patients. Our results indicate that CA15-3, CA125, CEA, and TSGF in nipple discharge can serve as novel biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer.

Bloody nipple discharge is a predictor of breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis

Nipple discharge is a common complaint of patients with breast disease. The color of nipple discharge is always the first alarming symptom for patients. It is controversial whether the discharge color is an indicator of an underlying malignancy. The electronic database PubMed was searched for relevant articles. A meta-analysis about the association between the color of nipple discharge and breast cancer risk was conducted. Eight studies, including 3,110 patients, were eligible for this meta-analysis. Compared with patients in non-bloody nipple discharge group (179/1,478), patients in bloody nipple discharge group (404/1,632) had a markedly higher breast cancer risk (OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.32-3.89, P < 0.001 for heterogeneity). Compared with patients in clear/serous group (71/575), patients in bloody nipple discharge group (326/1,271) also had a higher risk (OR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.25-4.93, P = 0.011 for heterogeneity). Furthermore, compared with patients in the colored group (55/448), patients in bloody nipple discharge group (296/1,124) (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 0.74-5.45, P = 0.009 for heterogeneity) had no significant difference. Besides, there was no significant difference between patients in colored group (55/448) and clear/serous group (61/470) (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 0.83-2.18, P = 0.707 for heterogeneity). Therefore, bloody nipple discharge could be a predictor of breast cancer risk among different colors of discharges. The symptom of bloody nipple discharge is helpful to the stratification of preoperative patients.