Ductectomy

[Guest guest]

Any suggestions folks. I have a 46 year old new patient. Female, no

children, pre-menopausal has in the past three years had occasional

clear discharge from left nipple. Up to a year ago it was happening

two to three days a month but in the past nine months to a year it has

become daily. Discharge is spontaneous but if you squeeze the breast

in any way it will occur too. This has become quite distressing an

embarrassing to the patient. She has had a full hormone profile which

has come back within normal range. She was referred to the breast unit

and has undergone mammogram and ultrasound. The fluid was checked and

does not contain blood. The results from the ultrasound were clear of

pathology but came back showing that all the milk ducts were dilated

and inflammed. It has been suggested that she has a ductecomy -

cutting the direct supply to the nipple for two reasons. Obviously it

will stop leakage but more importantly, the consultant stressed that a

constant state of inflammation in breast tissue had the possibility of

encouraging growth of papillomas which could thereafter become

cancerous. It has been explained that when the ducts are cut, the

ducts themself then collapse and stop producing any fluid and the

inflammation should disappear.

My patient is healthy, has a very good diet, had been vegan for the

first five months of the year to see if this would help both this and a

chronic constipation problem, with no long term change. Is now eating

all foods but restricting dairy. Supplements with Vit C and omega

three oils. Normally she would not consider the surgery but when the

consultant suggested that the chronic inflammation may become a problem

in itself is now considering it. She has delayed any surgical

intervention until February. Any suggestions?

In the past i've used Vitex along with other balancing/lymphatic herbs

with success for hyperprolactinaemia but this patients hormone profile

suggests this is not the case. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Jean