Health Encyclopedia

Nipple discharge - abnormal

Definition

Abnormal nipple discharge is abnormal fluid leakage from one or both nipples of the breast.

Alternative Names

Discharge from breasts; Milk secretions; Lactation - abnormal; Witches milk; Galactorrhea

Considerations

The likelihood of nipple discharge increases with age and number of pregnancies.

While a milky nipple discharge is rare in men and in women who have never been pregnant, it does occur. When it does, it is likely to be caused by some underlying disease, particularly when accompanied by other changes in the breast.

It is relatively common in women who have had at least one pregnancy. A thin yellowish or milky discharge (colostrum) is normal in the final weeks of pregnancy.

The nature of the discharge can range in color, consistency, composition, and may occur on one side or both sides.

"Witch's milk" is a term used to describe nipple discharge in a newborn. The discharge is a temporary response to the increased levels of maternal hormones. Witch's milk should disappear within 2 weeks as hormone levels dissipate in the newborn.

Other nipple discharges can be bloody or purulent (containing pus), depending on the cause.

Common Causes

A tumor in the brain called a prolactinoma
A small noncancerous growth in the breast called an intraductal papilloma
Breast abscess (most commonly seen in women during breastfeeding)
Breast cancer
Fibrocystic changes in the breast
Injury to the breast
Use of certain drugs including birth control pills, cimetidine, methyldopa, metoclopramide, phenothiazines, reserpine, tricyclic antidepressants, or verapamil
Widening of the milk ducts (called ductal ectasia)

Call your health care provider if

Call your health care provider if you have any abnormal nipple discharge.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:

Are you pregnant?
Are you breastfeeding?
What color is the drainage?
Does it look like milk?
Is is bloody?
Does it look like pus?
Is the drainage from both breasts?
How much drainage is there? For example, does it stain or soak a bra or t-shirt?
Do you examine your breasts? How often?
What medications do you take?
What other symptoms do you have? For example, fever, menstrual cycle changes, a breast lump,breast pain, headaches, or vision changes?

Laboratory tests may be done to check prolactin and thyroid levels and to study the cells in the nipple discharge. Other tests that may be done include:

Breast biopsy (if a lump is found)
Head CT scan to look for pituitary tumor
Mammography
Transillumination
Ultrasound of the breast

References

Galactorrhea. In: Ferri FF. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2008: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. 1st ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2008.

Review Date:5/26/2008
Reviewed By:Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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