Cause of breast discharge

In addition to causing pain and itching, fibrocystic breast changes can, at times, cause secretion of clear, white, yellow, or green nipple discharge. Nipple discharge comes in many different colors. The color can give you some clues about the cause. The chart below lists the discharge colors and some possible causes in women who aren’t lactating.

When nipples are inflame the papillomas cause discharge of blood or fluid that is sticky in texture. You might question now that is there a connection between breast discharge and breast cancer?

Almost all types of breast discharges can be considered normal, or is a result of benign medical condition. It also may be associated with menstrual hormone changes and fibrocystic changes. The milky discharge after breast -feeding will normally affect both breasts and can continue for up to two or three years after stopping nursing. As noted above, there are many potential causes of breast discharge. While breast cancer is not a common cause , nipple discharge as a sign of breast cancer often occurs when the tumor is still very small and non-invasive.

When tumors are removed at this stage, they should be, at least in theory, 1percent curable. Breast duct malformation (duct ectasia) can lead to breast discharge. Mastitis is the medical term for a breast infection, and mastodynia is the medical term for breast pain.

Another name for the nipple is areola.

A physician should evaluate persisting breast discharge (nipple discharge ). Breast discharge can be caused by normal and abnormal hormonal changes. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are normal hormonal changes that can cause milky nipple discharge. Cancerous and non cancerous breast conditions can also cause discharge from the nipples. Read now for more information on causes and treatment options. A rare, noncancerous pituitary tumor that causes a milky discharge known as galactorrhea.

Prolactinoma occurs most commonly in females under age 40. Breast cancer Breast cancer is the cause of breast discharge in fewer than of all cases of abnormal breast discharge. The same journal states that of the women who report nipple discharge of unknown. Spontaneous unilateral nipple discharge , regardless of color, is considered abnormal.

Generally, any discharge that occurs all by itself in a woman who is not pregnant should be evaluated by a breast specialist. How will I be evaluated for nipple discharge ? Your physician will give you a clinical breast exam, ask about your personal medical history, and probably order a mammogram and ultrasound to look for the source of the. Most malignant cases have a detectable breast mass.

The aim of this study was to assess the association between nipple discharge and breast cancer. Patients who underwent operation for. The first step in evaluating a patient with breast discharge is to decide whether there is an underlying breast condition present, or if the patient actually has galactorrhea – defined as the.

A small amount of daily vaginal discharge is common in most women.

Some breast cancer treatments can cause more or different discharge. There are different types of nipple discharge and the type of breast secretion may be an indication of the cause of the discharge. Types of Nipple Discharge. Milky discharge may be breast milk production even in women who are not pregnant or breast feeding and is often due to elevated hormonal levels, specifically prolactin.

Any fluid that leaks from one or both nipples of a non-pregnant and non-breastfeeding breast is referred to as nipple discharge. Although discharge of fluid from the nipple is usually due to hormone-related benign conditions it can also be a symptom of breast cancer. Lots of women have nipple discharge from time to time. It may just be normal for you. It is one of the most commonly encountered breast -related symptoms, and can account for up to of all breast symptoms.

This should stop in a few weeks. In general, nipple discharge is mostly due to benign causes, but may also be due to cancer.