Development and validation of a model predictive of occult nipple involvement in women undergoing mastectomy.

The article presents a prospective study aimed at developing a predictive model using preoperative information to aid selection for nipple-sparing mastectomy. To carry out the study, 200 consecutive skin-sparing mastectomy specimens without overt nipple involvement were evaluated. Findings indicate that three-quarters of women undergoing mastectomy did not have occult nipple involvement. As a response, a clinical tool including tumour size and distance from the nipple was developed.