Table 3.

Comparison of cytology and biomarkers in paired studies

	Cytology		Biomarker
Fluid collection	Sensitivity	Specificity	Assay	Sensitivity	Specificity	Ref.
Nipple discharge	33% palpable cases	NA	CEA immunoassay	75%	89%	[42]
	14% nonpalpable cases	NA		80%	89%
Nipple discharge/ductography, milking/washing ducts with saline	30%	100%	LOH-PCR	70%	83%	[73]
ROBE	ICMD/no malignant cytology	ICMD/no malignant cytology	MSP	85%, 29% DCIS	80%	[51]
Lavage	33%	89%	FISH	100%	100%	[70]
Lavage	47%	79%	FISH	71%	89%	[39]
NAF	59%	NA	MSP	82%	100%	[43]
Lavage	31%	100%	SELDI-TOF MS	75%	NA	[41]

Comparison of cytology and biomarkers in paired studies in which breast fluids were collected presurgically from women scheduled for excisional breast biopsies or mastectomies. Sensitivities reflect the detection of invasive and/or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), except when noted. CEA, carcinoembryonic antigen; FISH, fluorescence in situ hybridization; ICMD, insufficient cells to make a diagnosis; LOH-PCR, PCR-based loss of heterozygosity; MSP, methylation-specific PCR; NA, not available; NAF, nipple aspirate fluid; ROBE, routine operative breast endoscopy; SELDI-TOF MS, surface-enhanced laser desorption and ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry.