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NCT Number: NCT05056844

Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography for the Evaluation of Pathologic Nipple Discharge

This clinical trial studies contrast enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) for the evaluation of pathologic nipple discharge. CESM is similar to standard mammography, but it includes an intravenous (by vein) injection of an iodine-based contrast, which makes tissue and blood vessels more visible in scans. The goal of this trial is to learn if CESM, is better than standard mammography in quickly and efficiently determining the cause of nipple discharge and detecting breast cancer, if present. CESM may increase the chance of finding breast cancers and lower the risk of having unnecessary biopsies.

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Key information

Age range

25 year–85 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

M D Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Olena Weaver, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

713-471-3613

Olena Weaver, MD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

About this study

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To evaluate the added sensitivity of contrast enhancement of CESM (represented by the subtracted contrast images of CESM) compared to low energy [LE] images of CESM (full field digital mammogram [FFDM] equivalent) in detecting the causative lesion (invasive malignancy, ductal carcinoma in situ [DCIS], atypia, or papilloma) in patients with pathologic nipple discharge (PND).

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To compare the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of CESM versus DBT and ultrasound (US) in predicting invasive malignancy or DCIS in patients with PND.

II. To compare the accuracy of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and LE in the detection of invasive malignancy or DCIS, as well as in the detection of the causative lesion.

III. To estimate the proportion of cases in which CESM affects the choice of the lesion targeted for a biopsy with any imaging modality.

IV. To evaluate the cancer detection rate and the outcomes (need for additional imaging, biopsies, and final pathologic results) of incidental CESM findings.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate the correlation of blood biomarkers and the presence of invasive cancer and DCIS on pathology in the study patients.

II. To evaluate the role of the CESM enhancement pattern in choosing a precise target for a stereotactic biopsy.

III. To evaluate the effect of CESM on the patient workflow by calculating the time from presentation to the definitive diagnosis.

IV. To evaluate the technical feasibility of using CESM- guided or CESM directed biopsies.

V. In patients who undergo a CESM targeted or CESM directed biopsy we will evaluate the upgrade rate of DCIS to invasive malignancy or high-risk lesions to in-situ or invasive cancer for those patients who will require surgery as a part of their routine clinical care.

VI. In those study patients who undergo breast MRI as a part of their clinical care, the sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CESM for the detection of causative lesions will be compared.

OUTLINE:

Patients receive iodine-based contrast agent intravenously (IV) then undergo CESM over 10-15 minutes. Patients who have not undergone standard of care DBT within 3 months from the study, also undergo DBT.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Women presenting to MDACC for the evaluation of PND as the main or accompanying symptom
  • Age 25-85 years
  • Willing to participate in the study and undergo an IV placement, able to undergo iodinated contrast injection, and able to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Reported history of an allergic reaction to iodinated contrast
  • History of anaphylactic reaction to any substance in the absence of a prior history of uneventful administration of iodine-based IV contrast.
  • Renal insufficiency
  • Pregnancy or lactation within 6 months
  • Breast surgery affecting the symptomatic breast within prior 6 months, if it was located within 5 cm from the nipple
  • Breast biopsy of the symptomatic breast within the last 2 months, if it was located within 5 cm from the nipple
  • Breast MRI performed within 24 months before the patient presented with qualifying symptoms (MRI performed contemporarily with CEM for the evaluation of new symptoms is not an exclusion criterion).
  • Known breast cancer or active inflammatory process (such as abscess or mastitis) in the breast of concern

Treatment and study plan

Contrast Enhanced Digital Mammography

Procedure

Undergo CESM

Other names: CEDM, Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography, Contrast-Enhanced Digital Mammography, Contrast Enhanced Mammography

Digital Tomosynthesis Mammography

Procedure

Undergo DBT

Other names: DBT, Digital Breast Tomosynthesis, Digital Tomosynthesis of the Breast

Iodinated Contrast Agent

Drug

Given iodine-based contrast agent IV

Other names: Iodinated Contrast Dye, Iodine-containing Contrast Media

Questionnaire Administration

Other

Ancillary studies

Primary outcomes

  1. Sensitivity of contrast enhancement of contrast enhanced spectral mammography (CESM)

    Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year

    Will be compared to low exposure (LE) images of CESM (full field digital mammogram equivalent) in detecting the causative lesion (invasive malignancy, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), atypia, or papilloma) in patients with pathologic nipple discharge (PND).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Olena Weaver, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

713-471-3613

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM) for the Evaluation of Pathologic Nipple Discharge: A Pilot Study

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Sep 27, 2021
Registry last updated
Oct 9, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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