Mammary duct ectasia

Mammary duct ectasia may be diagnosed based on information you give to your healthcare professional and the results of a physical exam. You also might need additional tests, such as:

• Ultrasound of the nipple and areola. An ultrasound uses sound waves to make images of breast tissue. It allows your healthcare professional to look at the milk ducts beneath your nipple.
• Mammogram. A mammogram is an X-ray of your breast. It can help your healthcare professional look at your breast tissue. If a closer look is needed, your healthcare professional may use a diagnostic mammogram. This gives more-detailed views of a specific area of your breast than a screening mammogram does.
• Magnetic resonance imaging, also called MRI. MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create pictures of the inside of the breast. This imaging may be used if other tests don't give your healthcare professional enough information.
• Biopsy. If you have a lump in your breast, your healthcare professional may recommend a biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue for testing in a lab. This is done by inserting a needle through the skin and into the breast tissue. The tissue is sent to a lab and looked at under a microscope. This test can tell if the cells from the sample are cancerous.

Mammary duct ectasia doesn't always require treatment. But if you have symptoms that bother you, treatment options may include:

• Antibiotics. Your healthcare professional may prescribe an antibiotic for 10 to 14 days to treat an infection caused by mammary duct ectasia. Even if your symptoms get better or go away after starting the antibiotic, it's important to take all your medicine as prescribed.
• Pain medicine. You could try a mild pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), as needed for breast pain. Follow your healthcare professional's recommendation on which pain reliever is best for you.
• Surgery. If an abscess forms and antibiotics don't work, surgery might be needed to remove the clogged milk duct. This is done through a tiny cut made near the nipple. Surgery is usually not needed for mammary duct ectasia.

To relieve pain caused by mammary duct ectasia, you might try these self-care measures:

• Use warm compresses. A warm compress placed on your breast may soothe pain.
• Use breast pads for nipple discharge. Using breast pads or nursing pads can keep fluid from leaking through your clothing. These pads are available at drugstores and many retail stores that sell baby care products.
• Wear a support bra. Choose bras with good support to minimize breast pain. A well-fitting bra also can help keep a breast pad in place to absorb nipple discharge.
• Sleep on the opposite side. Avoid sleeping on the side of your body with the affected breast. This can help prevent swelling and further discomfort.
• Stop smoking. Smoking may make it harder to treat an infection. Ongoing smoking may cause infections to come back or an abscess.
• Try not to squeeze or touch your nipples. Care for you nipples gently. Avoid squeezing, rubbing or touching them often. This can cause nipple discharge that doesn't stop.

If you notice a new lump in your breast or any other changes, you'll likely see a member of your primary healthcare team first. Sometimes, based on a breast exam or the results of a mammogram or ultrasound, you may be referred to a breast health specialist.

What you can do

The first appointment focuses on your medical history and the symptoms you're having, including how they're related to your menstrual cycle. To prepare for this discussion with your healthcare professional:

• Write down all your symptoms, even if they seem unrelated to the appointment.
• Review key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes.
• Make a list of all medicines, vitamins and supplements that you regularly take.
• Write down questions you have, to make sure you remember everything you want to ask.

For mammary duct ectasia, here are some questions you might ask your healthcare professional:

• What's causing my symptoms?
• Will this condition get better on its own, or will I need treatment?
• What are my treatment options?
• Is there an over-the-counter medicine I can take for pain relief?
• What other things can I do to take care of myself?
• Do you have printed information I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare professional may ask you several questions, such as:

• How long have you had symptoms?
• Have your symptoms changed over time?
• Do you have breast pain? How bad is it?
• Do you have nipple discharge? How would you describe the color, texture and amount?
• Do you have symptoms 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 been diagnosed with a breast condition that was not cancer?
• Has anyone in your family had breast cancer?
• What, if anything, helps your symptoms?
• What, if anything, makes your symptoms worse?