The ducts are filled with inspissated secretions. Their rupture incites a chronic inflammatory response in the surrounding breast tissue. Plasma cells may be a prominent histological feature leading the condition to be described as plasma cell mastitis. However, plasma cells may feature in other conditions such as fat necrosis so the term should be reserved for histological description. Apart from the suggestion that duct ectasia is due to involution, the cause is unknown. Sometimes obstruction by a duct papilloma may be responsible.
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