PO29 The role of nipple smears in young women and their value in cancer diagnoses in one centre in southwest England

Abstract

Introduction: Nipple discharge is common. It is the presenting symptom in 5–7.4% of referrals to breast clinics. 1. Nipple fluid cytology is not useful in discriminating malignant from benign causes of nipple discharge in women of all ages. 2. There is no published data on the role of nipple smear cytology specifically in younger women and its predictive value for breast cancer. Methods: We reviewed all women who attended our unit with symptoms of nipple discharge from 2010–11 and reviewed the cytology and final diagnosis to ascertain the role of nipple fluid cytology in women under 40. Results: During the two year study period there were 195 smears taken from 161 women. 33% (53/161) of the women were under 40 years of age (range 13–93). One woman in the under 40’s group had a malignant diagnosis (1/53, 2%) compared with 11 in the over 40’s group. (11/108, 10%) (Fishers exact test p = 0.05) Discussion: The rate of malignancy in those presenting with nipple discharge is small. In women under 40, the rate is very small, and nipple discharge cytology does not add to the assessment of these women.