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Nipple problems - Treatment

Treatment:

Treatment depends on the cause of the nipple problem. It may include:

Medications
Observation
Surgery

Expectations (prognosis):

In most cases nipple problems do not involve breast cancer and will go away with adequate treatment.

Complications:

A nipple discharge may be a symptom of breast cancer or a pituitary tumor.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have nipple problems.

Female Breast

Intraductal papilloma

Mammary gland

Abnormal discharge from the nipple

Normal female breast anatomy

Reviewed last on: 5/12/2008
Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Valea FA, Katz VL. Breast Diseases: Diagnosis and Treatment of Benign and Malignant Disease. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2007: chap 15.

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