Pathological mammary gland secretion is one of the secretory (i.e., secreting a secretion) disorders within the mammary gland. This involves a discharge of a secretion from the nipple outside the breastfeeding period.
What is abnormal mammary gland secretion?
Pathological mammary gland secretion belongs to the class of secretory diseases of the mammary gland or the secretory mamma. This term includes all secretions of fluids that emerge from the mammary gland outside of lactation. The secretion can run out independently and spontaneously or it emerges from the nipple after slight pressure. Medicine differentiates between galactorrhea or milk secretion and secretion of other types of secretions. The latter are also called pathological mammary gland secretion. The term pathological mammary secretion includes any secretion that is not lactiferous in nature. There are no confirmed data on how frequently morbid mammary gland secretion occurs.
Causes
There are many causes of abnormal mammary gland secretion. However, the most common causes include benign changes in the mammary gland, which is also known as mastopathy. For example, benign tumors such as a papilloma or fibroadenoma can lead to secretion from the mammary gland. Adenomas of the nipple occur when broad-based excretory ducts change immediately below or within the nipple. It is then possible for a bloody secretion to leak from the nipple of the diseased breast. Inflammation of the mammary glands outside the breastfeeding period, which is referred to as mastitis non-puerperalis, is also one of the potential possibilities for a pathological discharge from the nipple. A comparable factual situation presents itself in the case of a so-called milk duct ectasia or a dilatation of the milk ducts. Abnormal mammary gland secretion can also be caused by serious diseases, which include breast cancer and Paget’s disease.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Abnormal mammary gland secretion may first be recognized by secretions from the nipple. Affected women notice a non-milky fluid that is usually whitish to translucent and can take on a liquid to mucous consistency. Depending on the cause, the secretion may vary in color, consistency or quantity. Thus, yellowish, greenish, brown or bloody secretions are also possible. Occasionally, abnormal mammary gland secretion is associated with other symptoms such as itching and pain. In addition, mild redness occurs on the nipple and in the adjacent skin areas. The complaints often also have an impact on the patient’s aesthetics. If inflammation of the breast or nipple occurs concomitantly, further complications may arise. Then there may be swelling and severe pain, which becomes more severe as the underlying condition progresses. The symptoms may occur on only one breast or affect both sides. In acute mastitis, spontaneous healing is possible. However, sometimes fistulas or ulcers can form, which are associated with further problems. If mammary gland secretion recurs, it can become a chronic disease with further symptoms and discomfort.
Diagnosis and course
Pathological mammary gland secretion is diagnosed by a specialist (usually the gynecologist). First, the patient’s medical history is taken. Then, the attending physician palpates the breast as part of the physical examination. In doing so, he pays particular attention to changes in the tissue or hardening. Furthermore, analysis of the consistency and color of the secretion is crucial for an accurate diagnosis. Watery or bloody discharges indicate proliferating lesions. Yellowish to greenish and brownish to black secretions, on the other hand, indicate dilatation of the milk ducts. In a laboratory, a sample of the discharge is analyzed for abnormal cells as well as for germs that may be present. In addition, imaging procedures such as an ultrasound examination or even a mammogram are also used. Changes in the mammary gland can thus often be precisely located. Galactography is suitable for checking the milk ducts.The further course of the disease depends on the actual underlying disease that has caused abnormal mammary gland secretion.
Complications
As a rule, this disease causes various complaints in the breasts of the affected person. In most cases, these complaints are associated with pain and are very unpleasant due to the sensitive region of the body. In most cases, a secretion is discharged. Furthermore, those affected also suffer from severe itching and reddening of the skin in the area of the breasts. These complaints not infrequently also restrict the aesthetics of the patients and thus lead to a significantly reduced quality of life. Furthermore, inflammation of the breast may occur, which is also associated with severe pain. As a rule, self-healing does not occur, so that patients are dependent on treatment by a doctor in any case. In most cases, however, the underlying disease must be treated in order to completely limit the symptoms. Medications and antibiotics are usually used in this process. Special complications usually only occur when breast cancer is the causal disease. In the worst case, this can also lead to premature death of the patient. In other cases, the patient’s life expectancy is not affected or reduced by the disease.
When should you go to the doctor?
Outside of breastfeeding, if there is leakage of any type of secretion from the mammary gland, a doctor’s visit is required. If the fluid is of a non-lactic nature while breastfeeding, it should be examined more closely by a physician. If the secretions occur only at certain intervals, continuously or in an increasing form, a doctor is needed. If there is an additional odor, this is considered worrisome and must be clarified by a doctor. Itching, changes in the appearance of the skin or open sores on the chest require a visit to the doctor. Further pathogens can enter the organism via the wounds and lead to the outbreak of additional diseases. Therefore, sterile wound care is necessary. This can be done by yourself if you have sufficient medical knowledge, but otherwise it should be done by a doctor. If there is pus formation on the nipple, a visit to the doctor is advisable. Consultation with a physician is recommended if there is pain in the breast, swelling or discoloration of the skin. An elevated body temperature may indicate the presence of inflammation. A doctor should be consulted as soon as this condition persists for several days. If bleeding from the mammary gland occurs, a visit to the doctor should be made immediately so that comprehensive treatment can be initiated. Sensory disturbances, a stinging or burning sensation in the breast should be presented to a physician.
Treatment and therapy
In the case of abnormal mammary gland secretion, the form of treatment depends on the particular cause. Since this secretion of a fluid from the nipple does not represent an independent clinical picture, treatment always consists of an efficient and targeted therapy of the actual disease. If the cause is benign changes in the mammary gland or mastopathy, there is currently no cure. Treatments are aimed at reducing the disturbing symptoms. Since one cause is a disturbed balance in the hormone balance, taking progestin can regulate the excess of estrogens. Furthermore, prolactin inhibitors seem to have sufficient effect in mastopathy. Prolactin is a hormone that stimulates the formation of milk in the breasts. Prolactin inhibitors, in turn, may minimize the tense conditions and recurrent cystic changes of the breast. Growths of tissue, such as papillomas and fibroadenomas, can be surgically removed by a physician. If breast inflammation or mastitis occurs, the patient takes anti-inflammatories or antibiotics. Potential foci of pus or abscesses are opened by the doctor during a surgical procedure. In the case of cancer in the breast, which may be the cause of abnormal mammary gland secretion, special cancer therapy is given.
Outlook and prognosis
Because abnormal mammary gland secretion is not a disease in its own right, it is not possible to make a prognosis without further information and detailed health tests. The prospect of cure depends on the causative disorder.However, spontaneous healing is not to be expected. Without a medical consultation as well as medical treatment, there may be persistent or increasing health problems. If inflammation is present, healing may occur after the irregularities subside. In the case of tumor disease, it is necessary to determine the quality of the tumor and the stage it is in. These criteria are instrumental in determining the possibility of cure. In most cases, removal of the tumor must be performed in order to provide relief. Often, additional cancer therapy is needed to prevent the development of another tumor as well as to contain possible unwanted spread. Treatment for these patients is extremely complex and associated with various risks and side effects. The quality of life of the affected person is limited and there is a possibility of suffering a secondary disease. In the case of pathological mammary gland secretion, the emotional burden on the patient is very strong. Therefore, psychological problems as well as disorders may arise. Overall, these worsen the prospect of recovery and must be taken into account when making a prognosis.
Prevention
Pathological mammary gland secretion cannot be specifically prevented. It is not an independent clinical picture, but rather a symptom of various underlying diseases. Therefore, a generally applicable preventive measure cannot be taken. If pathological mammary gland secretion is suspected, a physician should be consulted immediately to have the individual causes clarified.
Follow-up care
Follow-up care for abnormal mammary gland secretion is mostly concerned with the condition that caused this symptom. For this reason, no universal aftercare measures are available. Therefore, patients should always consult a gynecologist to have the clinical picture and the cause investigated. Sometimes an imbalanced hormone balance is the trigger for the complaints. In this case, affected women should think about changing their diet or exercising more. Healthy foods with antioxidants and fiber, for example lentils and whole grain products, strengthen health. Regular fitness training with short but intense exercises stabilizes hormone levels. Furthermore, stress avoidance and plenty of sleep are helpful. If a tissue proliferation is responsible for the disease, patients should prepare for surgery. In the context of aftercare and self-care, bed rest is essential. The body needs rest and, if necessary, nutritional supplements. These should eliminate any deficiency symptoms. Personal hygiene is also of great importance. Increased attention to washing reduces the risk of inflammation or sores. In addition, skin-friendly clothing and the renunciation of possibly skin-irritating care products have a positive effect on the course of the disease and thus at the same time on the body feeling.
What you can do yourself
The measures patients can take themselves in the event of abnormal mammary gland secretion depend on the cause in question. If the complaints are based on an imbalance in the hormone balance, general measures such as a change in diet or regular exercise will help. The diet should be composed of foods rich in antioxidants – whole grains and high-fiber foods such as oats, lentils or sweet potatoes are good choices. Physical exercise should consist mainly of short, intense workouts, as these have an optimal effect on hormone levels. In addition, patients should get plenty of sleep and avoid stress. If the abnormal mammary gland secretion is due to a tissue proliferation, surgery is necessary. The most important self-help measures are rest and bed rest, possibly accompanied by the intake of nutritional supplements to compensate for any deficiency symptoms. Acutely, increased personal hygiene helps with pathological mammary gland secretion. This can prevent any accompanying symptoms such as inflammation or itching of the skin. In addition, irritating skin care products should be avoided. Accompanying these measures, the complaints must be taken to the family doctor or gynecologist. Pathological mammary gland secretion usually has relatively harmless causes and can be treated well if clarified quickly.