Intraductal papilloma is the most common cause of spontaneous nipple discharge from a single duct.
The health care professional might feel a small lump beneath the nipple, but this lump cannot always be felt (palpable). A mammogram often does not show papillomas. Ultrasound may be helpful.
An examination of the discharge to see if the cells are cancerous (malignant)
An x-ray with contrast dye injected into the affected duct (ductogram)
Review Date: 8/17/2007
Reviewed By: Melanie N. Smith, MD, PhD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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