Intraductal Breast Cytology and Biopsy to the Detection and Treatment of Intraductal Lesions of the Breast

Detection of breast cancer at an early stage is the most effective approach to decrease mortality, and bloody nipple discharge is an important clue to detect ductal cancer. In case of bloody nipple discharge the intraductal approach is a minimally invasive method to detect intraductal lesions. The intraductal approach does not destroy the ductal structure and does not cause needle tract dissemination. Though bloody nipple discharge is a significant clue in the detection of ductal carcinoma of the breast that do not display any tumor images and calcifications, the sensitivity of discharge cytology is not sufficiently high. Mammary duct endoscopy (MS) has been employed to detect intraductal lesions and MS yields both an optical image and biopsy. Intraductal breast biopsy (IDBB) and direct ductal lavage cytology were used to obtain pathological and cytological diagnoses in intraductal lesions with nipple discharge. The usefulness of MS, IDBB and direct ductal lavage cytology for intraductal lesions, with particular regard to differential diagnosis of ductal carcinoma and intraductal papilloma.