Nipple discharge, no answers

[mockingbirdjen]

I've been having spontaneous bloody nipple discharge from from one duct of one breast. A mammogram showed a "suspicious area", however the radiologist said it was very small and not of much concern. Ultrasound showed nothing but a cyst. Galactagram didn't show any abnormalities. My understanding was that discharge of the kind described means cancer or papilloma, but neither has been found. Now what?

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

I think you are following the right plan of management and that it is ok if all the reports have come out normal.

You need to follow up regularly with your breast specialist and carry out regular breast self examinations.

Apart from the causes you already know - local trauma or injury to the site could be a cause of blood discharge from the nipple. Even infection can cause such a discharge.

Let us know if you have any more doubts.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

[mockingbirdjen]

I'm 34. No risk factors. I have an appointment to see my doctor to see where to go from here, but want to make sure I'm asking all the right questions. It IS persistent, comes without squeezing, and has been tested and was positive for blood. Is there anything that could cause this besides a papilloma or breast cancer? I've looked online but those are the only things I find.

Thanks for your response.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

What is your age?

It would be best to consult a breast specialist and see what he/she has to say.

A nipple discharge is significant and needs to be investigated further if it is persistent, comes without squeezing and is bloody or altered.

You should not panic, and go ahead with regular breast self examinations but do not squeeze too much.

If you notice a discharge again, consult your doctor or breast specialist and then this discharge could be sent for lab analysis.

Report any abnormal features to your doctor.

Do let us know how you are doing.

Hope this helps.