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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Your breasts are made up of connective tissues that include a system of milk ducts — tiny passages that carry milk to the nipples. Mammary duct ectasia occurs when a milk duct beneath the nipple becomes dilated and inflamed.
Possible causes include:
- Hormonal changes. Changes in your hormone levels may cause mammary duct ectasia. Hormonal changes are normal and often cause different kinds of breast changes, especially as you age.
- Smoking. Nicotine may have a toxic effect on your milk ducts, causing them to become dilated and inflamed.
- Inverted nipple. A newly inverted nipple may obstruct milk ducts, causing inflammation and infection. A nipple that's newly inverted also could be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as cancer.
