Punch biopsy today, worried they won't find whats wrong

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BA22
BA22 Member Posts: 6

Hey everyone! A little background info: I'm 26 years old, no kids, never been pregnant. A few weeks ago I noticed my nipple was chapped and was "brushing" it with my hand to get the skin off and saw that I had bloody discharge coming from one duct. This concerned me because ~1.5 years ago I had orange/brown non-spontaneous discharge from that same nipple/duct and ended up having an ultrasound that led to them saying they did not know what it was. Well this time, an ultrasound also showed no signs of worry but they had me see a breast cancer surgeon because of the bloody discharge. The doctor could not express the discharge from my breast at the appointment but when further looking at my nipples noticed how different the one with discharge was and that it was a lot more dry than the other one. She wondered if it was Paget's Disease and so today I got a punch biopsy to see if that is what's happening.

When talking to her today she mentioned that my nipple today looks more like dermatitis, which is fine, I would rather have that outcome than any other. However, when I asked about the bloody discharge from a single duct on one side she mentioned that it could just be from an older infection, trauma, etc. But why would I be experiencing this kind of discharge from almost 2 years and now it is bloody? I just am worried that the pathology for pagets will come back normal and then I'm back to square one. Part of me also thinks that I'm worrying more because my mom had breast cancer (BRCA negative). Anyways, does anyone have any experience or advice with this kind of thing? If my pathology report is negative should I just leave it at that? Any info or stories would be really appreciated.

Comments

  • tntnsd
    tntnsd Member Posts: 137
    edited February 2021

    Hi BA22,

    Just want to warm welcome and give you some cyber hugs. (I have daughters who are in 20s too, and I can’t imagine that if one of them have to go through what you are going through). Wish that I know the knowledge to ease your worry.

    With regarding to what to do if you are not still completely satisfied with doctors findings, explains; you can always push or seek for second opinions.

  • BA22
    BA22 Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2021

    tntnsd Thanks for your welcome! I will for sure be pushing for me if pathology report comes back normal.

  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited February 2021

    Welcome BA22! Hopefully you hear back on the biopsy in the next few days or at least the next week so at least you have some concretes to work from.... This waiting is so difficult! Please let us know ok?

  • BA22
    BA22 Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2021

    I peeked at my chart today which said "There are large ducts in keeping with breast tissue and overlying skin. GMS special stain is negative for fungal forms. CK7 was positive within ducts only. There is no atypia." Does anyone know what CK7+ means? I have heard it is a marker for tumors but am getting no where with definitive answers and research on my own.

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2021

    sorry - no idea. When do you meet with your doctor?

  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited February 2021

    I don't know either... Same question as MinusTwo - when do you talk with the doc next? Try to stay away from Google and Bing - sounds like I'm too late : ) If you need to do more "research" stick with this site. It may be out of context b/c you don't know your situation yet though the information will likely be more accurate....?

  • BA22
    BA22 Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2021

    Ended up speaking with the doctor who says that testing CK7+ means that those are the markers that say the epithelial is associated with Paget's, they then saw that there were no atypical cells which means no Pagets (yay!). However, they could not explain to me why I would be bleeding from one duct so I am not sure where to go from here. But thank you everyone for your input and advice!

  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited March 2021

    I hear you re unsettled with the ultimate outcome while realizing the news you received is good. Would you be able to ask the doc who might be an appropriate referral from here?

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