Patients are most commonly in the decade around the menopause or older. It has been estimated that by the age of 70, 40% of women have a substantial degree of duct ectasia.
Presentation is usually with a hard or doughy tender lump beneath or close to the areola, and nipple discharge which is often cheesy but may be green or blood stained. There may be slit-like nipple retraction.
The condition may be complicated by secondary infection.
Dilated ducts may be seen on mammography.
Differentiation from carcinoma may be difficult clinically.
Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page