Patient's question:
Main symptoms: Squeezing with leakageOnset time: Today
Laboratory test results: Not yet tested
Doctor's answer:
Hello, carefully observe and identify the characteristics of nipple discharge, as it is of great significance for finding the cause of the discharge. Generally speaking, milk-like discharge is often characterized by bilateral multiple pores spontaneous leakage during non-lactation, with a color and texture similar to skimmed milk, usually caused by hypothalamic dysfunction and abnormally elevated prolactin levels in the blood. Serous discharge is often squeezed out, and occasionally may be spontaneous; it frequently stains clothes and can be unilateral or bilateral. The discharge is thin, transparent, slightly yellow, brownish, or viscous, and is mostly caused by benign breast diseases, such as fibrocystic breast disease, duct ectasia syndrome, and intraductal papilloma. A small number of serous discharges can be caused by breast cancer. Watery discharge is often unilateral and appears thin and colorless, like water. It is commonly caused by tumors, with some studies indicating that about 50% of watery discharges may be cancerous. Purulent discharge is often unilateral, either spontaneous or squeezed out, and is usually green or creamy yellow, thick, purulent, and may contain blood. It is most commonly seen in inflammatory breast diseases, such as duct ectasia syndrome. Hemorrhagic discharge is often unilateral, either spontaneous or squeezed out, and appears bright red, pale red, light brown, or coffee-colored. It is mostly caused by intraductal papilloma but can also be seen in breast cancer, fibrocystic breast disease, or duct ectasia syndrome. Since malignant tumors are more likely to cause hemorrhagic discharge, clinical attention should be paid to the possibility of malignant lesions in patients with hemorrhagic discharge. Additionally, it is necessary to distinguish between true nipple discharge and false discharge. True discharge refers to the leakage of breast ducts through the nipple opening, while false discharge usually refers to inflammatory exudate in the nipple area caused by superficial erosion of the nipple or secondary infection due to breast duct fistula. The nipple discharge discussed here generally refers to true nipple discharge. In summary, if nipple discharge occurs, regardless of the method or characteristics of the discharge, it should be taken seriously, as most nipple discharge during non-lactation is a manifestation of various breast diseases.