title: Nipple aspirate fluid in relation to breast cancer.
abstract: Samples of breast ductal fluid can be obtained by nipple aspiration. Such samples may contain a variety of exfoliated or shed cells and display a distinctive biochemical profile reflecting the microenvironment of the ductal-alveolar system of the breast. Study of nipple aspirates may, therefore, shed light on the biology of breast cancer. This review summarizes the more important aspects of published data and explores potential avenues for future study with particular regard to molecular-biological approaches.
authors.affiliation: NHS Department of Clinical Oncology, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Miller