Patho-Disorders of the Breast (Exam 3, Fall 2022)
Galactorrhea
inappropriate lactation
persistent and possibly excessive secretion of milky fluid from breast of a woman who is
not pregnant or nursing an infant
can occur in men, may involve both or one breast
not associated with breast cancer
Galactorrhea is not a
breast disorder
manifestation of pathophysiologic processes in the body
-hormone imbalances=hypothalamic/pituitary
exogenous = drugs, estrogen, manipulation of nipples
When galactorrhea is caused by hyperprolactinemia, it is manifested by
spontaneous appearance of milky secretion from multiple duct openings
usually bilateral breasts (think endocrine)
Galactorrhea causes
high dose oral contraceptives
fibrocystic changes in premenopausal women
intraductal papilloma
cancer
ductal ectasia
subareolar abscess
Galactorrhea causes:
high dose oral contraceptives
characterized by clear, serous or milky discharge from multiple ducts
noticeable during drug-free intervals between OC packets
Galactorrhea causes:
Fibrocystic changes in premenopausal women
unilateral or bilateral spontaneous multiple duct discharge that increases before
menstruation
Galactorrhea causes:
Intraductal papilloma
unilateral, spontaneous, serous or serosanguineous discharge form single duct
, Galactorrhea causes:
Cancer
bloody discharge
Galactorrhea causes:
Ductal ectasia
bilateral, sticky, multi colored discharge from multiple ducts
Galactorrhea causes:
Subareolar abscess:
purulent discharge
Galactorrhea: nonpuerperal hyperprolactinemia
excessive amounts of prolactin in blood NOT related to pregnancy or childbirth
what is the most common cause of galactorrhea?
nonpuerperal hyperprolactinemia aka excessive amounts of prolactin in the blood
nonpuerperal hyperprolactinemia --> galactorrhea
causes
stimulates prolactin-secreting units of pituitary gland, prolactin releasing factor (PRFs)
interferes with production of prolactin-inhibiting hormone (neurotransmitter =probably
dopamine)
interferes w/ pituitary receptors for PIF
nonpuerperal hyperprolactinemia --> galactorrhea
pathophysiologic causes
acromegaly
chronic chest wall stimulation
cirrhosis
hypothalamic disease
hypothyroidism
pressure on pituitary stalk
prolactin-secreting tumors
pseudocyesis (false pregnancy)
renal failure
spinal cord lesions
Galactorrhea
inappropriate lactation
persistent and possibly excessive secretion of milky fluid from breast of a woman who is
not pregnant or nursing an infant
can occur in men, may involve both or one breast
not associated with breast cancer
Galactorrhea is not a
breast disorder
manifestation of pathophysiologic processes in the body
-hormone imbalances=hypothalamic/pituitary
exogenous = drugs, estrogen, manipulation of nipples
When galactorrhea is caused by hyperprolactinemia, it is manifested by
spontaneous appearance of milky secretion from multiple duct openings
usually bilateral breasts (think endocrine)
Galactorrhea causes
high dose oral contraceptives
fibrocystic changes in premenopausal women
intraductal papilloma
cancer
ductal ectasia
subareolar abscess
Galactorrhea causes:
high dose oral contraceptives
characterized by clear, serous or milky discharge from multiple ducts
noticeable during drug-free intervals between OC packets
Galactorrhea causes:
Fibrocystic changes in premenopausal women
unilateral or bilateral spontaneous multiple duct discharge that increases before
menstruation
Galactorrhea causes:
Intraductal papilloma
unilateral, spontaneous, serous or serosanguineous discharge form single duct
, Galactorrhea causes:
Cancer
bloody discharge
Galactorrhea causes:
Ductal ectasia
bilateral, sticky, multi colored discharge from multiple ducts
Galactorrhea causes:
Subareolar abscess:
purulent discharge
Galactorrhea: nonpuerperal hyperprolactinemia
excessive amounts of prolactin in blood NOT related to pregnancy or childbirth
what is the most common cause of galactorrhea?
nonpuerperal hyperprolactinemia aka excessive amounts of prolactin in the blood
nonpuerperal hyperprolactinemia --> galactorrhea
causes
stimulates prolactin-secreting units of pituitary gland, prolactin releasing factor (PRFs)
interferes with production of prolactin-inhibiting hormone (neurotransmitter =probably
dopamine)
interferes w/ pituitary receptors for PIF
nonpuerperal hyperprolactinemia --> galactorrhea
pathophysiologic causes
acromegaly
chronic chest wall stimulation
cirrhosis
hypothalamic disease
hypothyroidism
pressure on pituitary stalk
prolactin-secreting tumors
pseudocyesis (false pregnancy)
renal failure
spinal cord lesions
