A quantum description of the spatial behavior of a field that satisfies a spatial nonlinear Schrodinger equation (e.g., a single-mode field in a nonlinear planar waveguide) is studied with the assumption that quantum effects are small. An analytical expression for dissipation in systems governed by the spatial nonlinear Schrodinger equation is presented. Dissipation is found to have detrimental effects on the behavior of quantum phenomena such as quantum noise, squeezing, and bunching. A detecting scheme for the spatial frequency components of the nonclassical properties is also given.