Nipple retraction in duct ectasia.

Thirty patients with nipple retraction associated with duct ectasia have been studied to determine the clinical features of this condition. This association is a common one and the similarity of these nipple changes to those produced by cancer is emphasized. While clinical evaluation of the nipple changes may give an indication of the diagnosis, it is by no means absolute and mammography is advocated in all cases. Combined clinical and mammographic assessment will allow confident differentiation of the two causes in many cases, and a policy for management of nipple retraction is presented.