Also known as mammary duct ectasia, duct ectasia of the breast is a benign (non-cancerous) breast condition that develops when a milk duct in the breast widens and the walls thicken. The thickening allows the duct to get filled with fluid leading it to become blocked with a thick and sticky substance.
The condition normally occurs in women during menopause, but it can as well happen after menopause. In most cases, duct ectasia improves without treatment. The condition does not increase an individual’s risk for breast cancer.
The exact causes of duct ectasia of the breast are not yet fully known, but medical experts have speculated its causes may be attributed to the following:
Duct ectasia of the breast usually does not present symptoms. It is commonly found during a biopsy, a procedure that involves the removal of small breast tissue, which are sent to the lab for further evaluation under a microscope.
On very rare circumstances, duct ectasia may present symptoms which include:
A hard lump that is occasionally caused by scar tissue around the abnormal duct could be mistaken for cancer therefore, a mammogram and/or breast ultrasound may be performed by the doctor to evaluate the changed part of the breast.
If left untreated, duct ectasia of the breast may lead to the following complications:
Duct ectasia that does not present any symptoms often gets better without any form of treatment. In some cases where the condition may lead to discomfort, warm compresses and antibiotics may be recommended. However, if the symptoms do improve or go away, surgical intervention to remove the abnormal or affected breast duct may be necessary.
Duct Ectasia of the Breast is a non-cancerous condition where the milk ducts under the nipple become blocked or clogged, causing inflammation and dilation of the ducts.
The symptoms of Duct Ectasia of the Breast may include nipple discharge, breast tenderness or pain, nipple inversion or retraction, and a lump or thickening around the nipple.
Duct Ectasia of the Breast typically occurs in women who are in their 40s or 50s and have gone through menopause, but it can occur at any age.
Duct Ectasia of the Breast is typically diagnosed through a physical exam, mammogram, ultrasound, or biopsy.
Treatment for Duct Ectasia of the Breast typically involves managing symptoms with warm compresses, over-the-counter pain relievers, and possibly antibiotics if there is an infection. Surgery may be needed in severe cases.