Testing again ... 2 years later

msminnie73

For the second time in two years, I’m being evaluated for bloody nipple discharge (right).

At end of 2016 noticed discharge. My doctor sent me to breast surgeon. No discharge by the time my appt rolled around. Had mammo, US, US guided biopsy, MRI (discordant findings w/biopsy), and MRI-guided biopsy. Ultimately told everything was fine, but no explanation for the discharge. Told to come back to surgeon if it starts again.

October 2018, discharge starts again. More this time than before. Small spots on my bra, on PJs and sheets. See surgeon in late November. She’s able to express discharge and place on slide. I was only told the results were abnormal. No specifics. I was also sent for mammo and US. Was told by radiologist that all was well and there was no change from 2016. In report there was mention of slightly dilated retroareolar ducts with T1 hyper intense signal and no observable mass to explain bleeding nipple discharge.

Surgeon ordered a ductogram and possible US biopsy. Had those today. Contrast in ductogram couldn’t go very far at all into nipple. Radiologist showed me small mass and decided to do the US guided biopsy. So now I wait.

I’m a little concerned that I’ve had to go through all this to finally find this little mass that seems to have avoided detection since late 2016. How can everything “look” so normal, but not be? Note: I do have dense breasts.

And as for the left side, I wasn’t even having issues. However, a new area popped up in the latest MRI. From report ... “There is a 1.6 cm ductal area of rapid non-mass enhancement in the left breast at 11 o’clock middle depth 7.5 cm from the nipple.” I have an MRI-guided biopsy of this area scheduled for Jan. 10.

The most recent MRI also noted the previous linear non-mass enhancement and similar non-mass enhancing foci that was found in 2016. That area was already biopsied and found to be benign.

This is so frustrating and nerve wracking, as I’m sure you all know. I just really needed to “talk.” I’ve only told my sister about this.