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the breasts. It is the third major reason, involving the breasts, for which women seek
medical attention, after lumps and breast pain. The risk of nipple discharge increases
with both age and number of pregnancies, but is also known to occur in adolescent boys
and girls going through puberty. Discharge often is the result of stimulation of the breasts
or by irritation through clothing.
Types of discharge
red -- contains blood -- most often due to breast infection or intraductal papillomas, but
can be breast cancer
Abscess
Breast cancer
Breast infection
Fibroadenoma
Fibrocystic breasts
Galactorrhea
Hormone imbalance
Intraductal papilloma
Medication use
Prolactinoma
Physiologic
Bilateral
Pathologic
Spontaneous discharge
Bloody
Unilateral
Lactation
Galactorrhea:
Usually due to hyperprolactin state, though can be idiopathic with normal prolactin (PRL)
Prolactinoma
Hypothyroidism
Pathologic Discharge
Intraductal papilloma: monotonous proliferation of papillary cells growing into the lumen
Cells appear benign but associated with small increase in breast cancer risk
Breast cancer: risk much increased if mass associated with abnormal discharge
Description of Discharge
Endocrine Symptoms
Irregular menses,
thyroid symptoms,
Medical Conditions
Renal failure,
thyroid disease
Medications
Physical Examination
Skin exam for superficial lesions that might produce discharge mimicking nipple
discharge
Mammogram