Nipple Discharge

Nipple discharge is the release of fluid from the nipple. It is most commonly associated with normal physiologic changes that occur in the breast. In some cases, it can be related to an underlying benign (non cancerous) or malignant (uncommon) breast condition.

Nipple discharge can be spontaneous (without expression or ‘squeezing’ of the nipple) or on expression. Normal hormonal discharge is generally white, yellow or green in colour. It is typically only seen on expression, is from multiple ducts, and from both nipples.

Any nipple discharge that is spontaneous (occurs without squeezing the nipple) requires further investigation. Other worrying features include blood stained or clear colour discharge, discharge from a single ‘spot’ or duct, discharge from one nipple only, or discharge associated with an inverted nipple with or without an underlying lump.

Causes of nipple discharge include:

• Physiologic

• Lactation

• Duct ectasia

• Duct papilloma

• Nipple eczema

• Medications

• Pagets disease of the nipple

• Breast cancer or pre-cancerous change