- Diseases
- Acoustic Neuroma (14)
- Adrenal Gland Tumor (24)
- Anal Cancer (68)
- Anemia (2)
- Appendix Cancer (16)
- Bile Duct Cancer (28)
- Bladder Cancer (68)
- Brain Metastases (28)
- Brain Tumor (234)
- Breast Cancer (714)
- Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (2)
- Cancer of Unknown Primary (4)
- Carcinoid Tumor (8)
- Cervical Cancer (158)
- Colon Cancer (166)
- Colorectal Cancer (106)
- Endocrine Tumor (4)
- Esophageal Cancer (40)
- Eye Cancer (36)
- Fallopian Tube Cancer (6)
- Germ Cell Tumor (4)
- Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (2)
- Kidney Cancer (124)
- Leukemia (352)
- Liver Cancer (50)
- Lung Cancer (288)
- Lymphoma (286)
- Mesothelioma (14)
- Metastasis (30)
- Multiple Myeloma (102)
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome (64)
- Myeloproliferative Neoplasm (4)
- Neuroendocrine Tumors (16)
- Oral Cancer (102)
- Ovarian Cancer (172)
- Pancreatic Cancer (172)
- Parathyroid Disease (2)
- Penile Cancer (16)
- Pituitary Tumor (6)
- Prostate Cancer (146)
- Rectal Cancer (58)
- Renal Medullary Carcinoma (6)
- Salivary Gland Cancer (14)
- Sarcoma (234)
- Skin Cancer (294)
- Skull Base Tumors (54)
- Spinal Tumor (12)
- Stomach Cancer (58)
- Testicular Cancer (28)
- Throat Cancer (92)
- Thymoma (6)
- Thyroid Cancer (96)
- Tonsil Cancer (32)
- Uterine Cancer (78)
- Vaginal Cancer (14)
- Vulvar Cancer (18)
- Cancer Topic
- Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Issues (20)
- Advance Care Planning (8)
- Advance Directives (4)
- Biostatistics (2)
- Blood Donation (18)
- Bone Health (8)
- COVID-19 (362)
- Cancer Recurrence (120)
- Childhood Cancer Issues (120)
- Clinical Trials (622)
- Complementary Integrative Medicine (20)
- Cytogenetics (2)
- DNA Methylation (4)
- Diagnosis (220)
- Epigenetics (6)
- Fertility (62)
- Follow-up Guidelines (2)
- Health Disparities (12)
- Hereditary Cancer Syndromes (126)
- Immunology (18)
- Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (8)
- Mental Health (114)
- Molecular Diagnostics (8)
- Pain Management (64)
- Palliative Care (8)
- Pathology (10)
- Physical Therapy (18)
- Pregnancy (18)
- Prevention (860)
- Research (402)
- Second Opinion (74)
- Sexuality (16)
- Side Effects (598)
- Sleep Disorders (10)
- Stem Cell Transplantation Cellular Therapy (216)
- Support (406)
- Survivorship (320)
- Symptoms (178)
- Treatment (1756)
What color is breast cancer discharge?
3 minute read | Published December 13, 2023
Medically Reviewed | Last reviewed by an MD Anderson Cancer Center medical professional on December 13, 2023
Only about 5% of patients report having nipple discharge as one of their breast cancer symptoms.
But when they do, what does it look like? Is it always clear, or sometimes opaque? Does it ever look like breast milk? Can it be another color? And, if it’s bloody, is that a sure sign it’s breast cancer?
We went to breast surgical oncologist Ana Paula Correa Refinetti, M.D., for answers. Here’s what she wants people to know.
Most nipple discharge is benign
The first thing to know about nipple discharge is that there are two different types:
- Spontaneous
- Non-spontaneous
Spontaneous means the discharge happens without any obvious stimulation of the breast. Non-spontaneous means it happens only after the nipple is compressed in some way.
Regardless of its type, most nipple discharge is benign, says Refinetti.
“There are many benign causes of nipple discharge, including breastfeeding, pregnancy, hormonal imbalances, medications, and a normal physiological response to stimulation, even if you’re not breastfeeding. If you pinch or squeeze a nipple and a little liquid comes out, it’s a type of reflex.”
No particular color of nipple discharge is a telltale sign of breast cancer
The second thing to know about nipple discharge is that it can come in many different colors — and none of them is considered a definitive sign that you have breast cancer.
“Nipple discharge can be clear or milky, green or yellow, or even bloody,” explains Refinetti. “Most nipple discharge is non-cancerous. But we’re always going to want to do a workup on anyone who has bloody or new spontaneous nipple discharge. That’s especially true for anyone ages 40 or over, which is the recommended age for people at normal risk to start getting an annual mammogram to check for breast cancer.”
Any persistent nipple discharge needs to be investigated
You might think that yellow or green discharge is a sure sign of mastitis, which is an inflammation/infection of the breast. But that isn’t always the case. Mastitis most often occurs during breastfeeding because of a clogged duct, causing breast pain, redness, and swelling due to backed-up breast milk.
And, bloody nipple discharge should always be investigated, though it can be caused by several benign conditions, including:
- Intraductal papilloma: wart-like tumors that develop in the milk ducts; can only be diagnosed via breast biopsy
- Duct ectasia: a thickening and/or widening of the milk ducts; can only be diagnosed via mammogram or some other type of imaging
You should also see a doctor if new nipple discharge is paired with one or more of the most common breast cancer symptoms, such as:
- nipple inversion
- lump in your breast
- skin changes
“The vast majority of nipple discharges are non-cancerous,” notes Refinetti. “But that reassurance needs to come from a medical professional, not self-analysis. And any new changes that you notice in your breasts should be mentioned to your primary care provider or OB-GYN.”
Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or by calling 1-855-419-3868.
Topics
Breast Cancer
The vast majority of nipple discharges are non-cancerous.
Ana Paula Correa Refinetti, M.D.
Physician