Lambert et al identified factors associated with nipple involvement in women with breast cancer. Involvement of the nipple by cancer prevents nipple preservation during breast conservation surgery. The authors are from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk.
Parameters associated with nipple involvement:
(1) central location overlapping quadrants
(2) grade 3 (poorly differentiated) or undifferentiated carcinoma
(3) tumor Stage 3 or 4
Parameter in Multivariate Analysis |
Odds Ratio |
95% CI |
central location |
4.1 |
2.0 to 8.7 |
high grade |
3.1 |
1.3 to 7.5 |
Stage 3 or 4 |
9.2 |
4.2 to 20.3 |
from Table 2, based on 402 patients with complete data
The pattern of risk factors can predict the likelihood of nipple involvement.
Stage >= 3 |
Central/Overlap |
High Grade |
Probability Nipple Involved |
N |
N |
N |
0.02 |
N |
N |
Y |
0.05 |
N |
Y |
N |
0.06 |
N |
Y |
Y |
0.18 |
Y |
N |
N |
0.11 |
Y |
N |
Y |
0.32 |
Y |
Y |
N |
0.39 |
Y |
Y |
Y |
0.66 |
from Table 3, based on 402 patients with complete data
Specialty: Hematology Oncology, Surgery, general, Obstetrics & Gynecology