Differential Diagnosis for Bloody Milk while Pumping
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Breast trauma or nipple trauma: This is the most common cause of bloody milk, often resulting from improper latching, over-suction from the pump, or nipple cracking.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Mastitis: An infection of the breast tissue, which can cause inflammation, pain, and sometimes bloody discharge.
- Ductal ectasia: A condition where the milk ducts become widened, leading to secretions and potentially bloody discharge.
- Intraductal papilloma: A benign tumor growing in the milk duct, which can cause bloody nipple discharge.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Breast cancer: Although rare, breast cancer can cause bloody nipple discharge, making it essential to rule out this diagnosis.
- Pituitary prolactinoma: A tumor in the pituitary gland that can cause hormonal imbalances, leading to galactorrhea (spontaneous milk production) and potentially bloody discharge.
- Rare diagnoses
- Breast hemangioma: A rare benign vascular tumor that can cause bloody nipple discharge.
- Tuberculosis of the breast: A rare infection that can cause inflammation, abscesses, and potentially bloody discharge.