In the 'Symptoms - Skin - Conditions' section of our in-depth questionnaire we ask the following question about how many pores a nipple discharge is coming from:
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If you have any unusual discharge from your nipples, can you tell if it is coming from just one pore (opening), or from more than one? Each nipple has about 15-20 tiny pores.
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Your answer |
...indicates |
...and suggests |
| 1. |
"Don't know / I am pregnant or lactating" |
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| 2. |
"There is no discharge" |
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| 3. |
"The discharge is coming from only 1 pore" |
Single-pore nipple discharge |
A symptom |
| 4. |
"The discharge is coming from more than 1 pore" |
Multiple-pore nipple discharge |
A symptom |
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Your answer will affect the likelihoods of the conditions below.
Any answers in green reduce the likelihood of the condition.
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| Answers |
Condition |
Comment |
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3 |
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Breast Cancer |
(Women only) The cause is extremely unlikely to be breast cancer if the discharge is coming from several pores, and it does not contain any blood, and you are under 50 years of age. If the discharge is bloodstained, or it is emerging from just one pore, your doctor will refer you to a hospital clinic for tests (such as ultrasound, mammography and looking at the discharge under the microscope) to make sure that breast cancer is not responsible. |
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GLOSSARY
Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.
Discharge (Discharges)
A secretion, of pus for example, from a wound or bodily orifice.
Nipple (Areola, Nipples, Subareolar)
The small projection near the center of the breast containing the outlets of the milk ducts, OR the corresponding projection of the male breast. The areola is the darker tissue that encircles the nipple. Subareolar describes the location beneath the surface of the areola.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound testing uses sound waves projected into the body to produce an image of internal organs, structures, tumors, etc. In this procedure, a gel is applied to the patient's skin, and a small device that emits ultrasonic pulses is slowly passed over the area. The sonic image produced is viewed on a monitor.
Last updated: May 10, 2007
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