Symptoms:
- Breast tenderness
- Clear, milky, bloody, or discolored (green or brown) discharge
- Increased surface temperature of portion of the breast
- Nipple discharge
- Pain occurs with or without pressure on the breast
- Redness, tenderness and/or cracking of the skin surface of the nipple
- Swelling of some portion of the breast (breast lump)
Signs and tests:
The health care provider will take your medical history and perform a physical examination.
- Blood tests for prolactin level and thyroid function may be performed.
- Breast biopsy is performed if a mass or lump is found, or if the discharge is occurring on its own, without any pressure on the breast.
- Cytological evaluation (cell studies) of nipple discharge may be done in some cases.
- Mammography is usually performed if the cause is not obvious.