Bleeding Nipple

I found that I have one bleeding duct from my left nipple when squeezed. I went straight to my GP who has referred me on the two week fasttrack and I will be seen next Tuesday at the Breast Cancer clinic.  My concern is that 18 months ago I found a lump. They did all the tests and the ultrasound was positive and the needle test was negative.  I went in to have surgery but the lump had disappeared so they did another ultrasound and there was nothing there. Could they have missed something?      

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

Bleeding from the nipples is not tantamount to cancer. More common causes include infection, and the presence of a condition called papilloma.  Breast papillomas are usually very hard or sometimes impossible to see by standard imaging procedures such as the mammogram and ultrasound.  The treatment for this is usually surgery.  The surgeons have a method of localizing on which part of the breast the papilloma lie.  You may also want to inquire with your doctors regarding breast MRI that may pinpoint the problem.  I suggest you discuss these options with your physician.  Regards and best of luck.