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Breast Discharge
Breast discharge is the spontaneous flow of fluid from the nipple at any time other than nursing. Breast discharge can be caused by several, including cancer. Persisting breast discharge should be evaluated by a physician.
It is the third most common breast complaint for women, after lumps and breast pain. A woman's breasts have some amount of fluid secretion activity throughout most of the adult life. The majority of breast discharges are caused by non-malignant changes in the breast such as hormonal imbalances. However, any woman with a prolonged or worrisome nipple discharge should consult her physician.
Causes of breast discharge
Milky discharge is the most common type of discharge. Most milky discharge is caused by lactation or increased stimulation of the nipple due to fondling, sucking or irritation from clothing during exercise or activity. A milky discharge is usually due to a hormonal imbalance. Your doctor may also recommend a blood test to measure the prolactin level. Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, which is responsible for lactation.
Most bloody or watery (serous) nipple discharge is due to a benign condition like papilloma or infection. A papilloma is a non-cancerous, wart-like tumor with a branching or stalk that may have grown inside the breast duct.
Suspicious nipple discharge is due to a malignant (cancerous) lesion just 10% of the time. Discharge caused by a malignant condition is mostly on just one side (unilateral). Discharge from both the breasts (bilateral) is usually benign. Papilloma usually causes discharge from a single breast duct.
Nipple discharges are very common and mostly benign . But you should get them evaluated by your physician who will probably do a thorough breast exam .
Other possible causes include:
- breast abscess that is most common in lactating women
- injury or trauma can cause discharge from both breasts
- drugs such as cimetidine, methyldopa, metoclopramide, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, reserpine, tricyclic antidepressants, or verapamil
- intraductal papilloma (a small noncancerous growth in the duct of the breast)
- ductal ectasia (a widening of the milk ducts)
Breast discharge is of concern if it is:
- bloody or watery with a red, pink, or brown color
- sticky and clear in color
- brown to black in color
- appears spontaneously without squeezing the nipple
- persistent
- on one side only (unilateral)
- any fluid other than breast milk
Diagnosis :
Diagnostic tests may include:
- breast biopsy, if your doctor finds a lump
- cytologic study of discharge (a study of the cells in the discharge)
- CT Scan of the head to look for the pituitary tomor
- mammography
- serum prolactin
- transillumination in which a light is placed against the breast to help determine if there is an accumulation of fluid in the tissue
- ultrasonography that includes ultrasound of the breast
- Blood test
Call your doctor
- If there is any abnormal nipple discharge, call your Doctor immediately.
- If there is bloody or red colored discharge.