Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Breast Cancer  (Expert Forum)
 | 
pain and itchy nipple
Answered by
Cleveland Clinic - Breast cancer
Cleveland - OH
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.

pain and itchy nipple

by Terrie0311, Jul 08, 2009 12:33PM
Hello,

A year ago I started having pain and itchness inside my left breast nipple. No discharge, no color change or rash. I went to the Dr. and had a mammogram, which showed nothing. I went back to the Dr. last week because the pain and itching has increased. The Dr. order another mammogram and talked about having an ultrasound, a biopsy and dye injections.I had the mammogram to be told there was nothing there come back in a year. I ask what could be causing the pain and itchness, I was told that the hormones that my body was making causes pain. I ask how that can be since I had a hysterectomy about 13 years ago, just to be told that, ladies with dense breast just have pain and a mammogram only looks for lumps. I left every upset and confused. I am having itchness in my left armpit now and my nipple really hurts. I have made an appointment to see a Dr that deals with breast issues. Am I upset over nothing? Please give me some info that could help me understand what is going on, or questions I should ask. Thank you  

by Cleveland Clinic, Jul 08, 2009 01:38PM
Dear Terrie0311,  It is very difficult to say what is causing your pain and discomfort without ability to evaluate, ask questions.  Breast pain is a common breast symptom.  The reason for breast pain is not clearly understood, and is not usually associated with breast cancer.  Breast pain is sometimes associated with hormonal variations and is then called cyclical breast pain.  Noncyclical breast pain does not seem to be linked to hormonal variations and is often localized to one area of the breast tissue.  Noncyclical breast pain may or may not be the result of an injury to the breast.  

When you had your hyterectomy were your ovaries removed as well?  If not you could still be having some hormone fluctuations if you are pre-menopausal.  Seeing the breast specialist who can evaluate your situation with the ability to ask questions, gather a history, perform a physical examination, review the test results; will hopefully help to determine the source of your discomfort.
Member Comments (2)

by Terrie0311, Jul 09, 2009 12:04PM
Thank you.
Continue discussion
RSS Expert Activity
What You Don't Know About Breathing...
Nov 24 by Steven Y Park, MD
Thanksgiving
Nov 23 by Thomas Dock, Vet. Technician
Snoring As Your Internal Smoke Alar...
Nov 22 by Steven Y Park, MD