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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Mammary duct ectasia occurs when a milk duct beneath your nipple becomes dilated, the duct walls thicken and the duct fills with fluid. The milk duct can then become blocked or clogged with a thick, sticky substance. Though it's normal to worry about any changes in your breasts, mammary duct ectasia is not a sign of or a risk factor for breast cancer.
Mammary duct ectasia occurs most often in women in their 40s and 50s. The condition often causes no symptoms, but some women may have nipple discharge and breast tenderness or inflammation in the area near the nipple (periductal mastitis).
Mammary duct ectasia usually improves without treatment. However, if symptoms persist despite self-care measures, you may need antibiotics or possibly surgery to remove the affected milk duct.
- Non-cancerous breast conditions. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6X_Non_Cancerous_Breast_Conditions_59.asp?sitearea=CRI&viewmode=print&. Accessed May 14, 2010.
- Hari S, et al. Bilateral severe mammary duct ectasia. Acta Radiologica. 2007;48:398.
- Understanding breast changes: A health guide for women. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understanding-breast-changes. Accessed May 14, 2010.
- Rosen PP. Inflammatory and reactive tumors. In: Rosen PP. Rosen's Breast Pathology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:33.
- Guray M, et al. Benign breast diseases: Classification, diagnosis, and management. The Oncologist. 2006;11:435.
- Santen RJ, et al. Benign breast disorders. New England Journal of Medicine. 2005;353:275.
- Miltenberg DM, et al. Benign breast disease. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2008;35:285.
- Pruthi SP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 19, 2010.
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