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Duct Ectasia
Duct ectasia, also known as mammary duct ectasia, is a benign (noncancerous) breast condition. It happens when a milk duct in the breast widens and its walls thicken. This can cause the duct to become blocked and lead to fluid build-up. It’s more common in women in their 40s to 60s, but it can happen at other ages, too.
Symptoms and diagnosis of duct ectasia
Often, this condition causes no symptoms. It is found when a biopsy is done for another condition. A biopsy is when a small amount of breast tissue is removed to be checked with a microscope.
Sometimes, duct ectasia can cause symptoms such as:
- Nipple discharge, which is often sticky and thick
- Redness or tenderness in or around the nipple
- Retraction or pulling in of the nipple
- A hard lump in the breast
Some of these symptoms can also be caused by breast cancer. A mammogram and/or breast ultrasound may be done to learn more about the changes in your breast.
How does duct ectasia affect your breast cancer risk?
Duct ectasia does not increase your risk for breast cancer.
Does duct ectasia need to be treated?
Duct ectasia that causes symptoms sometimes gets better without treatment. Warm compresses and antibiotics may be used in some cases. If the symptoms don't go away, the abnormal duct might need to be removed with surgery.
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- References
Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Collins LC, Schnitt SJ. Chapter 9: Pathology of benign breast disorders. In: Harris JR, Lippman ME, Morrow M, Osborne CK, eds. Diseases of the Breast. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2014.
Dixon JM, Pariser KM. Nonlactational mastitis in adults. UpToDate. 2026. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/nonlactational-mastitis-in-adults on March 13, 2026.
Guray M, Sahin AA. Benign breast diseases: Classification, diagnosis, and management. Oncologist. 2006;11;435-449.
Last Revised: May 26, 2026
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