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Nipple discharge
- Nipple discharge: Introduction
- Causes (71 conditions)
- Types
- Diagnosis Checklist (26 listings)
- Misdiagnosis
- Home Diagnostic Testing
- Diagnostic Guides (Online)
- Diagnostic tests (17 listings)
- Symptom Checker
- Drug causes (7 listings)
- Videos
- Choose Doctor
- Classifications
- Stories from Users
Nipple discharge: Introduction
Nipple discharge: Discharge of fluid or milk from one or both breasts. See free access online books about Nipple discharge below. See detailed information below for a list of 71 causes of Nipple discharge, including diseases and drug side effect causes.
» Review Causes of Nipple discharge: full list
Causes of Nipple discharge:
The following medical conditions are some of the possible
causes of Nipple discharge.
There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor
about your symptoms.
- Lactation
- Breast feeding
- Pregnancy
- Breast disorders
- Breast infection (see Breast symptoms)
- Breast abscess
- Breast cyst (type of Cyst)
- Breast duct papilloma - typically a bloody nipple discharge; sometimes yellow nipple discharge.
- Mastitis
- Breast cancer
- Ductal ectasia - may cause a green or brown nipple discharge
- Breast duct cancer (see Breast cancer)
- Breast papilloma (see Breast lump)
- Paget's disease of nipple - can cause a bloody nipple discharge
- Breast stimuation (see Breast symptoms) - various kinds of breast stimulation may produce a small discharge:
- Sexual stimulation
- Mammograms
- Poorly fitting bra
- Tight clothes
- Hormonal disorders
- Certain medications
- See also bleeding nipple, breast pain, breast lump, or other breast symptoms
- Breast cancer
- Ductal carcinoma (type of Breast Cancer)
- Duct Papilloma
- Mammary dysplasia
- Mammary duct ectasia
- more causes...»
See full list of 71 causes of Nipple discharge
» Review Causes of Nipple discharge: full list
Causes of Types of Nipple discharge:
Review the causes of these more specific types of Nipple discharge:
- Bleeding nipple (7 causes)
- Lactation in females
- more types...»
Review causes of types of Nipple discharge in more specific categories:
- Nipple discharge in pregnancy (5 causes)
- more types...»
See full list of 7 types for Nipple discharge
Nipple discharge: Symptom Checker
Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Nipple discharge, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.
Symptom Checker
Symptom Checker
- Nipple discharge and Breast symptoms (24 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Nipple abnormality (20 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Swelling symptoms (19 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Nerve symptoms (16 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Pain (16 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Sensations (16 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Skin problems (16 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Skin symptoms (16 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Bleeding symptoms (15 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Temperature symptoms (15 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Fever (13 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Lump in the breast (13 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Lymph symptoms (13 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Skin texture changes (13 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Scaly skin (12 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Tough skin (12 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Breast lump (12 causes)
- Nipple discharge and Lymphedema (11 causes)
- more...»
See full list of 935 Symptom Checker combinations related to Nipple discharge
Nipple discharge: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers
Products, offers and promotion categories available related to Nipple discharge:
Causes of General Symptom Types
Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:
- Nipple symptoms (106 causes)
- Nipple abnormality (33 causes)
- Breast symptoms (208 causes)
- more symptoms...»
Causes of Similar Symptoms to Nipple discharge
Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Nipple discharge:
- Nipple pain (6 causes)
- Nipple symptoms (106 causes)
- Breast symptoms (208 causes)
- Breast infection
- Breast abscess (1 cause)
- Breast cyst
- Breast duct papilloma
- Mastitis
- Breast cancer (6 causes)
- Ductal ectasia
- Breast duct cancer
- Breast papilloma
- Paget's disease of nipple
- more symptoms...»
Diagnostic Guides for Nipple discharge
Medical Books Excerpts Read excertps from published book sections related to Nipple discharge from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Nipple discharge. Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Nipple discharge
- "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
- [ read ]
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Nipple discharge: Medical Mistakes
- Breast Cancer -- Health Mistakes
- Women's Health Mistakes:
- more mistakes...»
Nipple discharge: Undiagnosed Conditions
Conditions that are commonly undiagnosed in related areas may include:
- Women's Reproductive Health: diseases that are commonly undiagnosed:
- more undiagnosed conditions...»
Hospitals & Clinics: Nipple discharge
Research extensive quality ratings and patient safety measures for hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in health specialties related to Nipple discharge:
Research Hospital & Clinic Quality Ratings » »
Nipple discharge: Research Related Doctors & Specialists
- Spinal Specialists:
- Pregnancy & Fertility Health Specialists:
- Womens Health Specialists:
- more specialists...»
Other ways to find a doctor, or use doctor, physician and specialist online research services:
- Rate Your Doctor by Taking a Survey Online
- Research Your Doctor
- View Online Patient Surveys from Other Patients of Your Doctor
- Research local doctors and specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.
Misdiagnosis and Nipple discharge
Antibiotics often causes diarrhea: The use of antibiotics are very likely to cause some level of diarrhea in patients. The reason is that antibiotics kill off not only "bad"...read more »
Rare type of breast cancer without a lump: There is a less common form of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer. Its symptoms can be an inflammation of the breast tissue, such as with a breast rash with redness and warmth, but not necessarily a physical...read more »
Many causes of nipple discharge: Nipple discharge can be quite frightening and discomforting to the patient. There are a variety of causes responsible for abnormal nipple discharge and hence that can cause...read more »
Read more about Misdiagnosis and Nipple discharge
Nipple discharge: Related Rare Diseases
Rare types of medical conditions and diseases in related medical categories:
- Women's Reproductive Health -- rare types of diseases:
- more rare diseases...»
Diagnostic tests for Nipple discharge:
Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Nipple discharge. Some of these are listed below :
- Physical examination
- Induce and inspect the discharge by compressing a quadrant of the breast Examination of breasts for breast lump
- Axillary and supraclavicular lymph node examination
- If suspicious lump is found, inspect liver, lungs and spine for signs of metastases
- Blood tests
- Prolactin hormone should be ordered if the nipple discharge is bilateral and milky
- more tests...»
See full list of 17
diagnostic tests for Nipple discharge
Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Nipple discharge. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis. Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:
- When did you first notice the nipple discharge? - to establish if acute or chronic.
- What type of discharge is it? - e.g. bloody, watery, milky, green, yellow or pus-like.
- Bloody discharge may include intraduct papilloma (most common), intraduct carcinoma or mammary dysplasia. Green-grey discharge may include mammary dysplasia or mammary duct ectasia. Yellow discharge may include mammary dysplasia or breast abscess (pus). Milky white discharge may be due to lactation, lactation cysts, elevated prolactin hormone or drugs
- Is it from one or both nipples? - if unilateral and watery or bloody discharge consider breast cancer, intraduct papilloma, Paget's disease, papillary cystadenoma or epithelioma of the nipple. If bilateral and milky should consider the various conditions that cause hyperprolactinemia (elevated prolactin hormone in the blood) or pregnancy. A bilateral bloody discharge suggests mammary dysplasia (chronic cystic mastitis).
- Is the nipple discharge spontaneous or does it have to be expressed?
- more questions...»
See Diagnosis Checklist for Nipple discharge (26 listings)
Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)
Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Nipple discharge) may include:
- Breast lump? - a focal mass in the breast with a bloody discharge makes a breast cancer almost certain. If there is a focal mass, fever and a non-bloody discharge should consider a breast abscess. Mammary dysplasia can cause breast nodularity and sometimes a discrete lump but this varies with the menstrual period and usually causes multiple or bilateral masses.
- Breast pain? - a bloody discharge associated with breast pain suggests breast cancer if unilateral; mammary dysplasia if bilateral (causes discomfort particularly before the menstrual period and settles after the period).
- Breast swelling before the menstrual period? - suggests Mammary dysplasia.
- Fever? - fever or chills along with a pus-like discharge from the breast is most likely acute mastitis or a breast abscess.
- Symptoms of breast cancer? - e.g. breast lump, usually painless ( only 5% associated with pain), lump is hard and irregular. May have nipple discharge or nipple retraction. May have symptoms of metastases such as back pain, shortness of breath, weight loss or headache.
- more symptoms...»
See Diagnosis Checklist for Nipple discharge (26 listings)
Home Diagnostic Testing and Nipple discharge
Home medical tests possibly related to Nipple discharge:
- Cold & Flu: Home Testing:
- Menopause: Related Home Testing:
- Vaginal Health: Home Testing:
- Breast Cancer: Related Home Tests:
- more tests...»
Stories from Users for Nipple discharge
Real-life user stories relating to Nipple discharge:
- Unfortunately I am not dilusional - I do have "stuff" coming out of my skin, HELP
- the wrong word comes out of my mouth!
- Nipple Discharge
- stringy white stuff coming out of face ?
- White/Grey gunk coming out
- Nipple Discharge
- Regarding Nipple
- How come....?
- nipple discharge
- Weird stuff
- Weird Stuff.
- Nipple infection??
- inverted nipple and discharge
- Gross White Lumps Coming Out of Tonsils
- How come I can't get a diagnosis?
- Gross White Lumps Coming Out of Tonsils
- thread-like things coming out of leg
- Nipple discharge
- Not enough discharge
- discharge
Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Nipple discharge or relevant symptoms:
- Endocrine (Growth and Metabolism) (160)
- Sexual/Reproductive/Gynecological (783)
- Allergic/Immunologic (157)
Videos for Nipple discharge
Benefits of Anthracyclines
Anthracyclines are becoming an increasingly important part of adjuvant therapy for breast cancer, with new data demonstrating its significant...
More Effective Anthracyclines
Anthracycline-based therapy is often recommended following surgery for breast cancer to reduce the risk of recurrence. This strategy has proved...
Different Breast Cancers
Certain breast cancers mean different things. Learn what tests can determine the type of breast cancer you have, and how this information can affect...
Living with Breast Cancer
There are many options for treating breast cancer, including surgery, hormonal treatments, radiation and chemotherapy. All of these treatments have...
Patient Surveys for Nipple discharge
- Patient Profile Survey
Take Survey View Results - Survey about diseases related to your Nipple discharge
Take Survey View Results
Causes of Nipple discharge listed in Disease Database:
Other medical conditions listed in the Disease Database as possible
causes of Nipple discharge as a symptom include:
- Breast abscess
- Breast cancer
- Duct ectasia of breast
- Intraductal papilloma
- Mastitis
- Paget's disease of the nipple
- more causes...»
See full list of 71
causes of Nipple discharge
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Medications or substances causing Nipple discharge:
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible
causes of Nipple discharge as a symptom.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
- Oral contraceptives
- Phenothiazines
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Certain blood pressure medications
- Certain antidepressants
- Certain sedatives
- more causes...»
See full list of 7
medications causing Nipple discharge
Organs affected by Nipple discharge:
The list of organs typically affected by Nipple discharge may include, but is not limited to:
Detailed list of causes of Nipple discharge
The list below shows some of the causes of Nipple discharge mentioned in various sources:
- Acute suppurative mastitis
- Adenoid cystic carcionoma - nipple discharge
- Adrenogenital syndrome
- Ahumada-Del Castillo Syndrome - abnormal milk production
- Breast abscess
- Breast cancer - Nipple discharge
- Breast cancer stages: 0, I, II, III, IV - nipple discharge
- Breast cyst
- more causes...»
See full list of 71 causes of Nipple discharge
How Common are these Causes of Nipple discharge?
This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Nipple discharge. Of the 71 causes of Nipple discharge that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:
- 1 causes are "very common" diseases
- 1 causes are "common" diseases
- 1 causes are "uncommon" diseases
- 0 causes are "rare" diseases
- 2 causes are "very rare" diseases
- 69 causes have no prevalence information.
See the analysis of the prevalence of 71 causes of Nipple discharge
Conditions listing symptoms: Nipple discharge:
The following list of conditions have 'Nipple discharge' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
A
B
D
I
L
M
P
V
Z
Join in at the forums
Ask or answer a question about symptoms or diseases at one of our free interactive user forums.
Medical story forums: If you have a medical story then we want to hear it.
Doctors and specialists: Who should I consult about Nipple discharge?
Depending on the seriousness of the onset of Nipple discharge, you may want to consult one of the following medical professionals.
Important:In extreme cases, always seek advice from emergency services :
- General practitioner
- Emergency physician
- Obstetrician gynaecologist
- more specialists...»
Classifications of Nipple discharge:
Subtypes of Nipple discharge:
Bleeding nipple (1 cause), Lactation in females
Medical Conditions associated with Nipple discharge:
Nipple symptoms (106 causes), Nipple abnormality (33 causes), Breast symptoms (204 causes)
Symptoms related to Nipple discharge:
Nipple pain (3 causes), Nipple symptoms (106 causes), Breast symptoms (204 causes), Breast infection, Breast abscess, Breast cyst, Breast duct papilloma, Mastitis, Breast cancer (3 causes), Ductal ectasia, Breast duct cancer, Breast papilloma, Paget's disease of nipple
Medical articles on signs and symptoms:
Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:
- What to tell your doctor about your symptoms
- What questions will the doctor ask about your symptoms (and why)?
- What does your doctor do in a physical examination?
- What questions should you ask the doctor about a symptom or diagnosis?
- What questions to ask the doctor about the treatment
- Steps to take to get the most out of a doctor visit
- More articles on symptoms and diagnosis
These general medical articles may be of interest:
- Medical Symptom Books
- Symptoms of the Silent Killer Diseases
- Online Diagnosis
- Self Diagnosis Pitfalls
- Pitfalls of Online Diagnosis
See full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
News Archives for Nipple discharge
Medical news articles related to Nipple discharge include:
- Discharge Plan Cuts Hospital Readmissions, Patient Costs
- What's in a Name? When It Comes to Drugs, Plenty
- Different Neural Pathways at Work Going Under, Coming Out of Anesthesia
- more health news...»
Source: HealthDay News
Evidence Based Medicine Research for Nipple discharge
Medical research papers related to Nipple discharge include:
- Diagnosis of breast disease.
- 27 year old with clear nipple discharge and bilateral mastalgia - no lumps on examination - does this require specialist referral?
- 15 yrs old girl presented with eczema in both nipples and areola region. Her mum had breast cancer at 50years. Does she need referral to breast clinic or screening? No palpable breast lump and no skin rash any where else.
- Mammography - Protocol for the Use of Diagnostic Facilities
- Breast cancer
- Common breast problems.
- MRCS Topics
- Breast Lumps
Research More Evidence-Based Medicine at TripDatabase.com
More Ways To Research Medical Signs and Symptoms:
- Symptom Center - over 4,000 symptoms listed
- Symptom List
- Symptom Descriptions
- All Symptoms
- Diseases Center - find symptom lists for over 13,000 diseases.
- Books on Medical Symptoms
- Books on Medical Diagnosis
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- Diagnostic Guides Online for Nipple discharge
- Misdiagnosis of Nipple discharge
- AURAL DISCHARGE (OTORRHEA) (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
- Nipple discharge (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
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