Pathological nipple discharge (PND) is often one of the first signs of breast disease, yet diagnosing the underlying causes can be challenging. A new study from Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine reveals promising advancements in assessing intraductal lesions through innovative cytology techniques.
The retrospective analysis included 119 patients who presented with PND and underwent both nipple discharge smear cytology and liquid-based cytology of ductal lavage fluid. The findings, published recently, demonstrate the significant superiority of liquid-based cytology over the traditional smear method, particularly when used alongside fiberoptic ductoscopy.
Researchers found high rates of diagnostic accuracy; liquid-based cytology achieved accuracy levels of 68.18% for malignant tumors compared to just 22.73% for smear cytology. This increase is pivotal, especially since 5–10% of patients with PND can be diagnosed with breast cancer.
These findings support the efficacy of liquid-based cytology, which provides more abundant and diverse cell samples for analysis, leading to improved sensitivity and specificity. This technique leverages fresh cells from ductal lavage, enabling more reliable diagnoses.
"Liquid-based cytology of ductal lavage fluid can obtain more abundant intraductal shed cells, significantly improving the early diagnosis rate of intraductal lesions," the authors of the article noted. The combined application of fiberoptic ductoscopy enhances this diagnostic approach, making it more effective than either method used individually.
This study adds to the growing body of evidence highlighting the limitations of traditional cytology methods and suggests a clear path forward for practitioners seeking to refine diagnostic practices. Given the results, adopting liquid-based cytology could be beneficial across clinics managing breast health.
With the pressing need for improved breast cancer screening, especially among patients experiencing PND, these findings underline the potential of enhanced cytological techniques. Future research will likely explore the integration of these methods for routine application, amplifying the efforts to reduce breast cancer mortality rates.