Normal tests, bloody nipple discharge still what next?

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AnnaBNana712
AnnaBNana712 Member Posts: 9
edited January 2020 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hi, I'm Anna, and I am a returnee to this community. Last winter, I had a lump in my breast, which turned out to be benign. I also had some drops of bloody discharge when I squeezed my left breast, which I did as my breasts were uncomfortable and heavy. I am 66 years old, and a survivor of endometrial cancer, grade 1A. I have also had soreness in this breast. In the past, I had a stereotactic biopsy on this breast, looking for calcifications and also, a fine-needle biopsy which revealed a cyst. I was referred to a breast surgeon by my primary care doctor, who ordered a breast MRI with / w/o contrast, which was also benign.

In addition, I also have a prolactinoma (pituitary tumor, benign), which causes milky discharge, which is benign. I recently had a brain MRI, with and w/o contrast, to follow up my long history of prolactinoma, which was benign.

Felt very sore and full left breast today and very gently squeezed it. A small drop of reddish brown discharge came out. I squeezed it twice more, and by the 3rd squeeze, the discharge was red, on my kleenex. What to do now? Every test I've had was benign. My breast surgeon said not to worry. Is it ok to have bloody discharge in the breast and it's ok so long as you don't squeeze it and bring it to light? What tests, if any, would come next? I know discharge is usually 'normal,' but am still concerned. Should I consider it to just be 'normal' for me, or follow it up again? Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks. Anna

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited December 2019

    I think if I'd been told "Benign, benign, benign, benign" I'd stop worrying and stop squeezing.

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  • AnnaBNana712
    AnnaBNana712 Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2019

    I would like to. I have also had endometrial cancer, in 2014. I don't normally squeeze my breasts, and when I did this time, it was done very gently, and I was surprised that anything came out. It sounds like perhaps I should just, according to you, assume that whatever blood that is in my nipple ducts is 'normal for me,' due to the 'benign' findings, and just chalk it up to an irritation, much like what one can get when they are older and they have vaginal dryness, which can also cause small drops of blood to form. Interested on how others in the community view this. I would Love to ignore it ...but my experience with endometrial cancer, was kind of instructive. Had blood spotting for a while, and my primary care doctor sent me to a urologist as I got frequent UTIs. Had a cystoscopy, which I believe is a definitive test for bladder issues. Came back...benign... twice, once in '04 and again in or about 2013. My endometrial cancer was found 'accidentally,' as a result of a CT of my pelvic area, which was a follow up for my bladder. When the gyno I was referred to saw the CT scan, the thickened wall and some sort of polyp, she said "I think you have cancer." Further testing confirmed it. I was pretty lucky to have grade 1A, as I'd let the spotting go, thinking it was due to bladder infections for some time. Thanks for your response - Anne

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  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited December 2019

    AnnaBNana712

    Spontaneous bloody discharge is never normal. Bloody discharge can be caused by squeezing so its difficult to tell in this case what is causing it. If you are concerned, ask about the possibility of having a galactogram to examine the interior of the duct producing the blood.

    Read this page concerning nipple discharge: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/83/topics/857426?page=1#post_5015399

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited January 2020

    I have also had endometrial cancer, and it took about two years to find. I do think you need to follow up to find a reason for the discharge, but also accept the benign findings. There are many non-cancerous breast problems, and your post sounded like you thought it could only be cancer.

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  • AnnaBNana712
    AnnaBNana712 Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2020

    Thanks for the replies... I did, in truth, have 'cancer brain,' wherein it was EITHER cancer / not cancer. I know, in reality, that most likely, discharge is benign. I googled, and there was a test that could be performed by putting a thin tube into the offending duct to see what it is. I am hoping to avoid doing that. However, I did suck it up and call my breast specialist today and discussed it with her nurse, as she was out. We went over my history of 'benigns' and I asked her to pass on my concerns to the doctor and let me know whether I need an appointment, or if it can wait until my next follow-up, in March (I thought I wasn't due back until September! So that might be doable.) DJMammo and Alice, I appreciate your quick responses. This is a great forum. Anna

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited January 2020

    👍

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  • Lynne2525
    Lynne2525 Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2020

    I had two pea-sized lumps near my nipple as well as clear, sometimes yellowish discharge. Mammogram was normal. Ultrasound showed probable papillomas, but core needle biopsy was normal. So no papillomas? Three months later, I now have spontaneous bloody discharge. I'm not sure what to think.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2020

    Dear Lynne2525,

    Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry that these breast changes have brought you here but so glad that you reached out. There is another topic on Nipple Discharge that might be helpful. Perhaps another check in with your physician would be helpful in order to figure this out.

    The Mods

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