[9 years of systematic cytologic examinations of expressed galactophorous discharge. Detection of cancerous and precancerous conditions].

Nine years of experience performing cytologic examinations on expressed breast discharge has enabled the identification of precancerous and cancerous conditions of the breast. Three thousand women were monitored. The only abnormal findings were cytologic (clinical and radiological examinations were normal). One case of atypical hyperplasia, 3 cases of cancer in situ, and 2 invasive cancers were identified upon histologic examination. Three women were lost to follow-up and subsequently developed invasive cancer.