Nipple discharge, abnormal

Alternative names:

discharge from breasts; milk secretions; lactation, abnormal; witch's milk; galactorrhea

Home care:

Follow provider-prescribed therapy.

Call your health care provider if:

• there is any abnormal nipple discharge.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting a nipple discharge in detail may include:

• Are you pregnant?
• Are you breast feeding?
• What type of drainage is there?
  • Does it look like milk (even though you are not breast feeding)?
  • Does it look bloody?
  • Does it look like pus?
• Is the drainage from both breasts?
• How much drainage is there?
  • Enough to stain the lining of the bra?
  • Enough to soak through the bra?
  • Does the discharge occur spontaneously, or only when expressed?
• Do you perform breast self-exam? How often?
• What medications do you take?
• What other symptoms are also present? Especially, is there:
  • fever
  • a breast lump
  • breast pain
  • headaches or change in vision

The physical examination will include examination of the breasts for lumps or other abnormality.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• breast biopsy (if lump is found)
• cytologic study of discharge (a study of the cells in the discharge)
• head CT scan to look for pituitary tumor
• mammography
• serum prolactin
• transillumination (a light is placed against the breast to help determine if there is an accumulation of fluid in the tissue)
• ultrasonography (ultrasound of the breast)

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to a nipple discharge to your personal medical record.

Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial