More tests, or wait and see?

Jen4078

Hi Ladies,

I'm confused and need some insight. Had a normal screening mammo 2 weeks ago inside my OB/GYN's office, found an area of density and did a follow ultrasound and compression mammo. Both were normal. During the mammo I noticed discharge (milky) in both breasts. It was only during compression by the machine, and I had a baby 22 months ago. It also came out of both breasts.

OB/GYN wanted to collect a sample of the discharge. I was able to get 6 little droplets out, they sent for cytology. It came back with atypical papillary clusters. Referred to breast center.

I had another mammo and ultrasound (focused on ducts)today, both were clear. Radiologist said she isn't worried, but referred me to a Breast Prevention and Screening clinic to see a high risk doctor to find out what is causing the atypia. I can't get in for 6 weeks.

My questions for those of you that have been there....do I push for more tests prior to the high risk prevention doc?

Or, should I feel good that after 2 mammo's and 2 ultrasounds, i'm clear. The discharge is from both breasts and is white/yellow milky. The radiologist said normally they would not have done a smear test on the fluid at the breast center because they consider that type of discharge normal.

I've read these stories on the internet about woman being diagnosed with Cancer despite clear tests and i'm just scared.

Anything you can share is helpful.

djmammo

Jen4078

"It came back with atypical papillary clusters"

Chances are you have an intraductal papilloma, or some variation thereof. This can give you that result. If it was not seen on an US exam directed towards the ducts, it is likely very very small and will require a ductogram to demonstrate it. Once one of these is found it is removed to eliminate the chance of malignant degeneration. Maybe you can get set up for a ductogram before your appointment in 6 weeks. Let us know what they find.

Click Here for info on ductograms

Jen4078

thank you so much for your reply. If it was a small papilloma, would I have bilateral discharge? That’s the part that is stumping me. When I asked the radiologist today at the MD Anderson breast center about a ductogram and they said they don’t do those anymore. They only do MRIs.

In your opinion, should I be concerned about the 6 week wait to see the breast screening and prevention specialist? Or because it’s not cancer at this point, the wait will be okay. That’s the part I’m worried about.

Georgia1

Hi there Jen. DJMammo is the expert but I would not worry about the six week wait. Every time I've had a mammogram the radiologist noticed discharge, and since there was nothing on the images she never worried about it. It was only years later, when a mammogram saw a spot that turned out to be ILC, that a benign papilloma was found during the lumpectomy. My surgeon said I probably have one in the other breast too (my discharge was bilateral) and again, she wasn't worried about it.

Jen4078

thank you for the reply Georgia! You made me feel better. The Breast Radiologist told me not to worry at all, but I can’t let it go. So stressful.

Tpralph

I agree, it  would be fairly rare to have cancer in both breast exhibiting exactly the same.

6 week wait is nothing. .  However, good you are getting this checked out!