Mammary duct Ectasia

Description

Mammary duct Ectasia (ek-TAY-zhuh) occurs when one or more milk ducts beneath your nipple widens. The walls of the pipes can thicken, and the tube can be filled with a liquid. The milk duct may become blocked or clogged with a thick, sticky substance. The condition often causes no symptoms, but some women may have nipple discharge, breast tenderness or inflammation of the duct obstruction (mastitis periductal).

Mammary duct Ectasia occurs more frequently in women during perimenopause — around the age of 45 to 55 years — but it can occur after menopause, too. The condition often improves without treatment. If the symptoms persist, you may need antibiotics or possibly surgery to remove the affected milk duct.

Although it is normal to worry about any change in your breasts, mammary duct ectasia and mastitis periductal are not risk factors for breast cancer.

Symptoms

Mammary duct Ectasia often do not cause any signs or symptoms, but some people experience:

  • A dirty white, greenish or black nipple discharge from one or both nipples
  • Sensitivity in the nipple or surrounding tissue of the breast (areola)
  • Redness of the nipple and areolar tissue
  • A lump or thickening in or near the obstruction of the duct
  • A nipple that is turned inward (inverted)

A bacterial infection called mastitis can also develop in the milk duct, causing pain in the breast, swelling in the area around the nipple (areola), and fever.

The signs and symptoms of mammary duct ectasia can improve on their own.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice changes in their breasts — as a new lump in the breast, spontaneous nipple discharge, skin redness or inflammation, or an inverted nipple — that are persistent or bothersome.

Causes

Your breasts are made up of connective tissues, which include a system of small ducts that carry milk to the nipples (the milk ducts). Mammary duct Ectasia occurs when a milk duct beneath the nipple widens. The walls of the pipes can thicken and fill with fluid, becoming blocked or clogged with a sticky substance. The inflammation can result.

Experts do not know exactly what causes mammary duct ectasia. Some speculate that the cause is associated with:

  • Changes in the breast tissue due to age. With age, the composition of their changes in the breast tissue of most glandular and most fatty in a process called involution. These normal breast changes can sometimes lead to a blockage of the milk ducts and inflammation associated with mammary duct ectasia.
  • The habit of smoking. Cigarette smoking may be associated with widening of the milk ducts, which can lead to inflammation and, possibly, mammary duct ectasia.
  • The inversion of the nipple. A newly inverted nipple can block the milk ducts, causing inflammation and infection. A nipple that has recently reversed it could also be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as cancer.

Complications

Complications of the mammary duct ectasia are usually mild and often more annoying than serious. These may include:

  • The discharge from the nipple. Nipple discharge caused by the mammary duct ectasia can be frustrating. A leak of fluid from the nipples can cause embarrassing from moisture and stains in your clothing.
  • Breast discomfort. Mammary duct Ectasia can cause redness, swelling and tenderness around their nipples.
  • Infection. An inflammatory infection (mastitis periductal) can develop in the milk duct, sometimes causing pain in or around the nipple, a general feeling of illness or fever. Redness, persistent and worsening pain can be a sign of a bacterial infection and can lead to an abscess is a collection of pus in the breast tissue, which may require a procedure to drain.
  • The concern about breast cancer. When you notice a change in your breast, you may worry that it is a sign of breast cancer, especially if you develop a hard lump around the nipple or areola. Have a history of mammary duct ectasia does not increase your risk of breast cancer. Even so, it is important to see your doctor right away every time you notice changes in your breasts.

Mammary duct Ectasia

Diagnosis

Based on the information that you provide to your doctor and the results of a physical examination, you may need additional tests, including:

  • Diagnostic ultrasound of the nipple and areola. An ultrasound uses sound waves to make images of the breast tissue. This allows your doctor to assess the ducts of the breast below your nipple. A diagnostic ultrasound allows your doctor to focus on one area of the suspect.
  • The diagnostic mammogram. Mammography provides X-ray images of the breast and can help your doctor evaluate the breast tissue. A diagnostic mammogram provides more detailed views of a specific area of your breast that a screening mammogram does.

Treatment

Mammary duct Ectasia does not always require treatment. If your symptoms are bothersome, however, the treatment options may include:

  • Antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic for 10 to 14 days to treat an infection caused by mammary duct ectasia. Even if your symptoms improve greatly or disappear completely after starting the antibiotic, it is important to take all your medicines as prescribed.
  • Medication for pain. You could try a mild pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), as needed for discomfort in the breast. Follow the recommendations of your doctor which pain reliever is best for you.
  • Surgery. If an abscess has developed, and antibiotics and self-care does not work, the affected milk duct can be surgically removed. This procedure is performed through a small incision at the edge of the silk of colors around your nipple (areola). Surgery is rarely needed for the mammary duct ectasia.

Self-care

To relieve the discomfort associated with mammary duct ectasia, you might try these self-care measures:

  • Apply warm compresses. A hot compress is applied to your nipple and the surrounding area, you can soothe painful breast tissue.
  • The use of breast pads for nipple discharge. The use of breast pads or nursing pads can keep fluid from leaking through your clothes. These pills are available in pharmacies and many retail stores that sell baby care products.
  • Wear a support bra. Choose bras with good support to minimize the discomfort in the breast. A well-fitting bra they can also help keep a chest pad in place to absorb the discharge from the nipple.
  • Sleep on the opposite side. Avoid sleeping on the same side of your body as your affected breast to help prevent swelling and further discomfort.
  • Stop smoking. Smoking can make it harder for the treatment of an infection, and in the course of smoking may result in recurrent infection or an abscess.

Preparing for your appointment

For the evaluation of a new breast lump or changes in the breast, which is likely to start by seeing your primary care physician. In some cases, is based on a clinical examination of the breasts or findings on mammogram or ultrasound, you may be referred to a breast health specialist.

What you can do

The initial evaluation focuses on the clinical history and signs and symptoms that you are experiencing, including how they are related to your menstrual cycle. To prepare for this discussion with your doctor:

  • Take note of all your symptoms, even if it seems not to be related to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Review key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all the medicines, vitamins, and supplements that you take regularly.
  • Write down questions to ask your doctor, to make sure you remember everything you want to ask.

For mammary duct ectasia, here are some questions that you can ask your doctor:

  • What is the cause of my symptoms?
  • Is this condition usually resolves by itself, or will I need treatment?
  • What treatment approach do you recommend?
  • There is an over-the-counter medicines can I take to relieve the pain?
  • What self-care steps can I try?
  • Do you have printed information I can bring to my house? What sites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you a series of questions, such as:

  • How long have you experienced any symptoms?
  • The symptoms changed over time?
  • Do you experience pain in your breasts? How serious?
  • Do you have nipple discharge? How would you describe the color, consistency and amount?
  • What are your symptoms occur in one or both breasts?
  • Have you had a fever?
  • When was your last mammogram?
  • Have you ever been diagnosed with a precancerous breast condition?
  • Have you ever had a breast biopsy or has been diagnosed with a benign breast condition?
  • His mother, sister, or someone in your family has had breast cancer?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of the Mammary duct ectasia