For those who had nipple discharge prior to diagnosis...

DCIS most often presents as calcifications that are visible on the mammogram (but usually not on an ultrasound).  Usually there are no symptoms.  

Nipple discharge is very common.  Most often it turns out to be a benign condition such as duct ectasia or a ductal papilloma. I believe that only about 5% of cases turn out to be anything more serious, such as DCIS. 

It doesn't sound as though your breast surgeon thinks you have DCIS, but he simply wants to rule out DCIS. 

No nipple discharge! but one month after a clear mammo, felt something was odd, primary doc gave me a breast exam and said he felt something, had an ultrasound which showed an enlarged duct, chose to go to a breast surgeon who coudn't feel it but said have another ultrasound in three months which I did, at that point it was plugged up with debris - core needle biopsy showed dcis. From first doc visit to core needle biopsy - 7 months. When I researched it at the time, an enlarged duct is something to watch. 

good luck to you - good chance all benign.

My discharge was milky/clear, one duct on one breast only, a drop or two only but it did increase in amount over the time the process took. I could not get any by trying to squeeze it but the doctors all could easily get a stream of it going.

Two years ago I sought medical help after discovering blood in my bra and experiencing severe pain in my LB. The radiologist did US, magnified mammo and ductile mammo and still couldn't figure it out.  I kept telling her that my breast felt warm and I experienced relief with hot compresses but she did not listen and told me to consult a BS.  The BS diagnosed mastitis which cleared up (particularly after the stress of thinking I had some horrible form of BC was lifted).  I am now dealing with an abnormal mammogram (microcalcification and some shadowy areas in same breast).  Since calcifications can be caused by inflammation and trauma, are there any studies tracking radiological changes in women who have had mastitis?  There is a fairly large (8mm) calcification that has very smooth edges that did not show up on the last two annual mammograms and one other more nodule shaped lesion plus microcalcifications.  My BS and radiologist are intent on biopsy but I am concerned that I am just another victim of a biopsy epidemic.

I cannot find any literature for how many microcalcifications constitute a "cluster."

Based on my research after the screening mammo, I tracked down a 3D mammo and had both the 3D mammo and US.  I highly recommend doing 3D mammo if you have fibroidistic breasts - imagery is very clear. 

deb1973 & ww3354, I recently discovered a bloody discharge in my left breast. It only occurs when I squeeze. The discharge comes from only one duct. I had 2 US & 1 mammogram in the past 6 wks! No lumps were seen. But several ducts in the right breast are mildly dilated. I'm scheduled for a MRI on 4/2. Are any of my symptoms similar to yours? 

Hi ww3354 and Erika14

If you don't have confidence in that radiology place, then you should go somewhere else.  That is what capitalism is all about.  Do you live near any large cities? Most larger cities have Breast Care centers in a larger hospital.  In those places, they have people who only deal with breasts all day long.  And Breast surgeons that only do breasts.  As opposed to some that do all kinds of surgery.  I just got fed up with my local providers and called a Boston hospital. There is an amazing difference in the way that they listen to you and really seem to care.  I have an appointment next week and think it is the best move.