Mammary duct ectasia Flashcards
What is mammary duct ectasia?
Palpable, peri-areolar breast mass
What is mammary duct ectasia due to?
Inflammation and dilation of the large breast ducts
What might mammary duct ectasia mimic on mammography?
Breast cancer
How dies mammary duct ectasia present?
Tender lump around the areola
Thich white/green discharge
What can occur if the mammary duct ectasia ruptures?
May cause local inflammation, sometimes referred to as ‘plasma cell mastitis’
What happens to the duct in mammary duct ectasia?
A milk duct in the breast widens and its walls thicken
Fluid builds up and clogs duct
How can mammary duct ectasia result in a lump in the breast?
Scar tissue around the abnormal duct causes a hard lump that may be confused with cancer
What is imporant in the management of duct ectasia?
Smoking cessaiton
What might be necessary for those with severe symptoms of mammary duct ectasia?
For duct ectasia with severe symptoms, total duct excision may be warranted.
