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breast secretions do not always indicate any serious problem. While breast milk is expected in
pregnancy and after child birth, other secretions from the breast may also occur in women of any
age. Young women may experience nipple discharge without any cause for concern but
persistent discharge in older women may be a sign of an underlying condition.
Secretions from the breast usually occur from the nipple and nipple discharge should be
differentiated from fluids secreted through a breast fistula. A breast or mammary duct fistula is
an abnormal passage that forms between a mammary duct in the breast to the surface of the skin,
usually near the areola. While a mammary fistula is not very common, it may occur after a
prolonged infection and the presence of a fistula should not be considered as nipple discharge. A
breast fistula requires further investigation and appropriate treatment.