Routine Cytology of Nipple Discharge in Breast Diseases. At least three different approaches have been used to assess the usefulness of nipple discharge cytology in detecting breast disease. Historically, nipple discharge cytology has been reported as a poorly sensitive yet highly specific screening tool in the detection of carcinoma amongst patients with nipple discharge.
Cytologic examination of a nipple discharge is usually helpful when no palpable or mammographic abnormality is identified; otherwise, a galactography, a fine needle aspiration (FNA) or excisional biopsy is usually performed.
The sensitivity for malignancy of nipple discharge cytology ranges from 40 to 60%. It can not be used as a screening test for breast cancer because a discharge can be obtained only in few asymptomatic women.
