Spontaneous unilateral nipple discharge: When screening tests are negative - A case report and review of current diagnostic management of a pathologic nipple discharge

Dietlind L. Wahner-Roedler, Carol Reynolds, Marilyn J. Morton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe a 45-year-old woman who presented with a spontaneous unilateral nipple discharge. With a negative breast examination and screening tests (mammography and ultrasonography) she underwent mammary ductography, which revealed a small 3-4 mm intraluminal filling defect. A core biopsy showed high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). An attempted wide local excision was unsuccessful, and the patient underwent a mastectomy. Pathologic assessment revealed high-grade DCIS and multiple foci of invasive mucinous ductal adenocarcinoma. Rare tumor cells were identified in the subcapsular sinuses in both sentinel lymph nodes. We report this case to point out the importance of the diagnostic examination for patients with a pathologic nipple discharge and review current and possible future diagnostic management.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)49-52
Number of pages4
JournalBreast Journal
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2003

Keywords

  • Ductal lavage
  • Ductography
  • Ductoscopy
  • Nipple discharge

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine
  • Surgery
  • Oncology

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