The significance of nipple discharge of the male breast Journal Article
| Authors: | Morrogh, M.; King, T. A. |
| Article Title: | The significance of nipple discharge of the male breast |
| Abstract: | Although male breast cancer typically presents as a palpable mass, failure to recognize the significance of other symptoms may lead to a delay in diagnosis. Here we present our experience with male patients presenting with a chief complaint of nipple discharge (ND). Using the ICD-9 code for "breast symptoms," we Identified 2,319 patients without a current cancer diagnosis who presented to Memorial Sloan-Ketterlng Cancer Center for evaluation; 24 (1%) patients were male (1995-2005). Data were collected by retrospective review. Among 24 male patients presenting for evaluation, 14 (58%) presented with a chief complaint of ND, while the remaining 10 (42%) presented for evaluation of a palpable mass In the absence of ND. Among 14 patients presenting with ND, subsequent clinical breast examination identified a breast mass ± nipple changes in 7 of 14 patients. In total, 8 of 14 (57%) patients had an underlying malignancy; two of seven patients with ND alone had DCIS (median interval from onset of ND to presentation 3 weeks, range 2-4 weeks), and six of seven patients with ND and a palpable mass had invasive disease (median interval between onset of ND and presentation 16 weeks, range 2-52). The remaining 10/24 patients presented with a painless palpable mass of whom 8 (80%) were found to have underlying invasive disease (median interval between onset of mass, and presentation was 4 weeks, range 2-20 weeks). All patients with invasive disease were node-positive. At 23.7 months median follow-up (range, 7.7-88.3 months), 14 of 16 cancer patients remain free of disease and two have died as a direct result of metastatic disease. The incidence of cancer among males presenting with ND was 57%. In the absence of additional clinical findings, ND may be a herald for early, non-invasive disease. Increased awareness of subtle features of malignancy may represent a window of opportunitv for early diaanosis and improved outcomes for male breast cancer Datients. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.,. |
| Keywords: | adult; clinical article; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; clinical feature; outcome assessment; follow up; cancer diagnosis; cancer incidence; metastasis; breast cancer; differential diagnosis; retrospective study; cancer center; mammography; early diagnosis; breast tumor; breast examination; clinical evaluation; physical examination; nipples; awareness; early detection of cancer; palpation; early disease; male breast cancer; nipple discharge; breast discharge; male breast; breast neoplasms, male; exudates and transudates |
| Journal Title: | Breast Journal |
| Volume: | 15 |
| Issue: | 6 |
| ISSN: | 1075-122X |
| Publisher: | Wiley Blackwell |
| Date Published: | 2009-11-01 |
| Start Page: | 632 |
| End Page: | 638 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1111/j.1524-4741.2009.00818.x |
| PUBMED: | 19735390 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 1" - "Export Date: 30 November 2010" - "CODEN: BRJOF" - "Source: Scopus" |
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