RESUMEN
Objective: The cytologic methods were used in the diagnosis of cancerous change of (intraductal papillomas,IP) and its significance was discussed. Methods： We studied the nipple discharge smear by using Wright-Gimsa staining. Meanwhile, infrared ray scanning B-ultrasound and X-rays were performed. Results： One hundred and twenty-eight patients were with IP， among them， 15 (11.7%)were confirmed as tumors by surgery and pathological examination. The cancerous change of cytomorphology was based on IP. The average age of patients with cancerous change was 48.1.The nipple discharge in patients with cancerous change was primarily bloody(66.7%). Conclusion： Introductal papillomas is carcerous. The possibility of canceration in persons with longer time of nipple discharge is larger than those with shorter time of nipple discharge. Women who are elder than 45 years old, with nipple discharge and post menopause, should be considered to have the possibility of cancerous change.