Nipple Fluid Cytology

Breast MR imaging: current indications and advanced imaging techniques

Breast cancer is the most common solid tumor diagnosed in women. In the past decades, great strides have been made in breast cancer screening. While multiple screening trials have shown the benefits of screening mammography, there are limitations to x-ray mammography. Given these inherent limitations, efforts have been made to develop adjunctive imaging techniques, including screening ultrasonography, gamma-specific breast imaging, breast tomosynthesis, dedicated breast computed tomography, and breast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. This article addresses the current indications and advanced imaging applications of breast MR imaging.

Evaluating nipple discharge

Nipple discharge is the third most common breast complaint after breast pain and breast mass. It is most often a benign process. Up to 50% women in their reproductive years can express one or more drops of fluid from the breast. Nipple discharge can be of several types, including milky, multicolored and sticky, purulent, clear and watery, yellow or serous, pink or serosanguinous, bloody or sanguinous. The characteristics of the nipple discharge help in the early diagnosis and management of breast disease. The most common cause of pathologic nipple discharge is a benign papilloma followed by ductal ectasia, and the least likely is carcinoma. Most nipple discharges are the result of a clinically insignificant benign process; therefore, less invasive, nonsurgical diagnostic modalities have been explored to reduce the need for surgical intervention. The evaluation and diagnosis of nipple discharge is important for the early detection of carcinoma, when present; and, in the case of benign disease, it is necessary to stop the incommodious discharge.