dilated mammary ducts

[luinstran]

I had a bloody discharge from my right breast so I went to the doctor and an ultrasound was ordered.  There were no lumps and no masses.  The only thing found was a dilated mammary duct.  I was put on 500 mg of Keflex 4 times daily for 10 days with the thought it may be an infection.  The doctor still wanted me to go to a surgeon as well.  I did not want to go until I saw if the antibiotics were going to work because I don't have money to throw around if additional test are not needed.  I am still on the antibiotics and it seems to have stopped and I don't want to borrow trouble but I want to know could it be as simple as that and just be an infection in the mammary duct?  I have been told that there are many things that can cause a bloody discharge from the breast but what I want to know is what those many things are?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear luinstran:  Bloody discharge can result from infection, papilloma (a wart-like growth in the duct) and cancer, to name the most common sources.  Even if the discharge resolves with the antibiotics, you might consider the appointment with the surgeon to be certain that there is nothing that requires further evaluation.

[surgeon]

most things that cause bleeding from the nipple don't show on ultrasound or mammogram, so being ok doesn't really get you off the hook. Bloody discharge needs a definite explanation.