![]() If a solid mass is seen on ultrasound, a biopsy of the mass can be performed. An ultrasound may be performed to see if the underlying cause of the discharge can be identified, such as benign findings like a cyst or duct ectasia. For a woman who is thirty or older with a nipple discharge, a mammogram will usually be done, not only to get more information about the discharge, but also to be see if any other findings have developed elsewhere in either breast. A clinical breast examination will be performed. Your breast surgeon will take a detailed history about the characteristics of the discharge, any other breast symptoms, breast cancer risk factors and general medical history. You may be referred to a breast surgeon for an evaluation. If you have a nipple discharge you should see your doctor for an evaluation, particularly if it is spontaneous, comes from a single duct, is bloody, clear or yellow, is associated with a lump, you are >50 or postmenopausal, or the discharge persists after your next menstrual cycle if you are premenopausal. A discharge associated with an underlying mass on clinical breast examination or a mammographic abnormality is more likely to be caused by breast cancer. A nipple discharge in a woman who is either over 50 years old or postmenopausal is significant. Other factors include a discharge from only one breast, particularly if it comes out of a single opening on the nipple, or if pressure on one particular part the areola produces the discharge. The color of the discharge is significant: clear watery, clear yellow (serous), blood-tinged (serosanguinous) or bloody nipple discharges are more concerning. They may be seen staining the inside of a bra or other clothes. Spontaneous discharges which come out without any pressure on the breast are more suspicious. Physiologic nipple discharges are usually not associated with other findings on clinical breast examination or mammogram.Ĭertain characteristics raise the possibility that a nipple discharge is a sign of cancer. The often can be produced from both breasts and come out of multiple duct openings on the surface of the nipple. They are typically multicolored: greenish, gray, and/or white. These benign or physiologic nipple discharges are usually not spontaneous, meaning one has to press or squeeze the nipple for the discharge to come out. Many premenopausal women are able to express fluid from the nipple. A nipple discharge, in which fluid comes out of the nipple, is often a normal finding. ![]()
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