Research Article

Duct Excision is Still Necessary to Rule out Breast Cancer in Patients Presenting with Spontaneous Bloodstained Nipple Discharge

Table 2

Breast cancers identified following surgery for spontaneous isolated nipple discharge.

AgeDischarge typeSingle duct?Initial surgeryInitial histologyFinal histologyTreatment

32Fresh bloodYesMicroDCISIntermediate grade DCISMx + ANS + recon
43Fresh bloodNoTDEDCISExtensive intermediate grade DCISMx + ANS + recon
51Fresh blood/serousYesTDEDCISHigh grade DCISMx + ANS
58Fresh bloodYesTDEIDC3 mm grade 3 IDC + extensive DCISMx + ANC + recon
60Fresh bloodYesMicroDCISHigh grade DCISMx + ANS
68Fresh bloodYesTDEIDC3 mm grade 2 IDC + DCISMx + ANC
69Fresh bloodYesMicroDCISMultifocal intermediate grade DCISMx + ANS
72History of fresh blood; serous discharge identified, dipstick +++ for bloodYesTDEIDC10 mm grade 2 IDC + DCISMx+ ANC
74Altered bloodYesTDEIDC10 mm grade 2 IDC + widespread DCISMx and ANC
78Fresh bloodYesTDEDCISMultifocal intermediate grade DCISSimple Mx
88Fresh bloodYesTDEDCISLow grade DCISSimple Mx

Initial operation: Micro: microdochectomy; TDE: total duct excision.
Histology: DCIS: ductal carcinoma insitu; IDC: invasive ductal carcinoma.
Treatment: Mx: mastectomy; ANS: axillary node sampling; ANC: axillary node clearance; Recon: reconstruction.