NIPPLE DISCHARGE

Articles written by
Mr. Harvey Minasian MS (London) FRCS

Nipple discharge
This is quite a common condition. There are about 14 tiny milk duct openings on each nipple – which can be seen by the use of a powerful magnifying glass. In normal circumstances they are only active during breast feeding. Sometimes, at rest, (i.e. when not breast feeding) they discharge fluid (often green or brown in colour). There are numerous causes of nipple discharge – most of which are quite innocent. Nevertheless, it is essential that you consult a breast specialist for further assessment. Discharge from numerous duct openings on your nipple (usually appearing as several beads of fluid) has almost always an innocent cause, whereas discharge from a single duct, especially if it is blood-stained, is far more significant. A cause of this is a small growth in that duct system. The growth may be innocent but, in all suspected cases, the duct system needs to be removed. This is a small but skilled operation, called a microdochectomy, carried out under general anaesthesia. The scarring produced is minimal & sometimes invisible