Mammary Duct Ectasia Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Mammary Duct Ecstasia ?

Mammary Duct Ectasia, also known as plasma cell matisis, is condition of the lactiferous duct which is marked by the duct becoming blocked or clogged.

It occurs when the milk duct behind the nipple widens, which causes the duct walls to thicken and the duct fills with fluid.

The most common cause of greenish discharge from the nipple, mammary duct ectasia is known to mimic breast cancer.

Although, the symptoms if present may mimic breast cancer, mammary duct ecstasia does not increase the risk of developing breast cancers.

It is dubbed to be a disorder of the pre or post menopausal age, with average age of onset lying between 45 to 55 years.

Usually marked by lack of symptoms other than fluid discharge, the condition may improve without proper treatment. However, in case of severe form of mammary duct ecstasia, treatment may be sought.

Causes Of Mammary Duct Ecstasia:

The exact cause of mammary duct ecstasia is still unknown. Probable causes of mammary duct ecstasia may include the following:

Breast tissue changes due to aging
Involution may occur
Smoking
This may causemilk ducts to widen, which in turn may lead to inflammation and eventually mammary duct ectasia
Nipple inversion
Nipple inversion may cause mammary duct ecstasia
It is a symptom of cancer

Symptoms Of Mammary Duct Ecstasia:

The following symptoms may be exhibited by those suffering from mammary duct ecstasia:

A dirty white, greenish or black nipple discharge from the nipples
Tenderness in the nipple
Redness of the nipple and the surrounding area
A lump in the breast
thickening near the clogged duct
Inverted nipple

Diagnosis Of Mammary Duct Ecstasia:

Mammary duct ecstasia can be diagnosed via:

Medical history
Physical examination
Diagnostic ultrasound of the nipple and areola, to evaluate the milk ducts beneath the nipple
Diagnostic mammography, which may help in evaluating the breast tissue