REPOST:Debbie Harris post-I found in Newcomers section

Believe51 · 03-20-2008, 11:49 AM

Anyone have experience with this?

<HR style="COLOR: #cc0033" SIZE=1>Hi everyone,

I am hoping to find someone who has experienced the same thing I am going through, or at least some good advice on what I should be doing next.
During a self breast exam I discovered a blackish discharge from my nipple. I made an appointment for a diagnostic mammogram. The mammo came back negative, however, I have very dense breast tissue, and the ultrasound tech told me that my breast tissue was so dense that I was not a good candidate for ultrasound, although she did perform the exam.....This confused me somewhat because I thought that ultrasound was the "exam of choice" especially for women with dense breast tissue.
Anyway, the ultrasound also came back negative. The mammo tech also had me express some of the fluid onto a gauze pad and she showed it to the radiologist who said it was nothing to be concerned about.
I have a very strong family history of breast cancer, so I didn't want to leave it at that, especially with what the ultrasound tech had said, so I followed up with my OB GYN who actually did a PAP on the breast fluid. That too came back negative for cancer cells, however, he suggests that I follow up with a general surgeon, and said that I may need to have a ductogram done because something is causing the abnormal colored discharge, and that needs to be dealt with.
I would rather see a specialist given my family history, over a general surgeon. I am an x-ray tech, so I have had the opportunity to ask a few radiologists about ductograms and their worth and have heard differing opinions.
Since initially discovering the discharge, it has changed colors from black, to bright red, to dark brown, to a much more pale brown. Could this be an indication that whatever was going on is cleared up?
The mammo tech said that it could have been caused by a clogged duct and that some cells and fluid got backed up in there causing the discoloration.
Do you think this warrants a breast MRI, or am I just being paranoid. I do not want to be opened up needlessly to have a duct removed that may or may not have anything wrong. I would like some evidence of a papilloma or something before having unnecessary surgery. Any advice or experience with this that you can share would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Debbie

Maybe I should ask before reposting someone else's post. I did leave it in the Newcomers section but thought Debbie would have more chances for responses here. Since the only way I can help is to move the post with hopes that many will see and be able to help her.

Prayers and love are being sent her way, atleast I CAN do that! Love to all>>Believe51

Mary Jo · 03-20-2008, 01:01 PM

Hello Debbie.....

Although I don't know why you had this discharge or what the cause of it is, I do know that if you are not convinced that all is what it should be, you should proceed with the MRI for peace of mind. Most definitely.

Please keep us posted.

Love ...

Mary Jo

BethC · 03-20-2008, 01:25 PM

My tumor was found during a diagnostic mammogram. They did an ultrasound and then biopsy. I saw the breast surgeon and oncologist (at the same time at the medical center), and they ordered more tests, including a CT scan, breast MRI, MUGA, and bone scan. My tumor did not show up on the breast MRI. Also, one of the problems with the MRI is it gives a lot of false positive information which can lead to unnessary biopsies.

I think it would be good for you to see a breast surgeon rather than a general surgeon and he/she will order tests to figure out what is going on. Good luck!

Bill · 03-20-2008, 08:29 PM

Just bumping this one up. Marie, I thought about doing the same thing, but didn't know how.

Debra · 03-20-2008, 08:41 PM

I highly recommend the breast MRI. I too work in radiology and discharge is not normal. Not necessarily that it is bc however, but with the very dense breasts you described and the fact you have a strong history of breast bc, you probably should be having breast MRI's anyway especially with the discharge issue. Please push this issue if anything for piece of mind.

madubois63 · 03-20-2008, 11:59 PM

Did you maybe hurt yourself??? The color change sounds like it may be clearing up, BUT since most breast cancers start in the ducts, please see a breast surgeon!!! I have to impress the fact that NOT ALL BREAST CANCERS COME WITH A LUMP, and not all imaging tests find bc. I was originally diagnosed with inflammatory bc. There was no lump, just a tiny little patch of hard skin. I did not have discharge, but have heard of some that did. The mammo did not pick up the inflammatory bc - but an experienced doctor saw it on an mri while other doctors did not see it. There ARE other reasons for the discharge that are less serious, and I pray that something simple is the cause, but PLEASE get a definitive answer - an answer that your doctor would bet his house or life on. Maybes and probably are just not good enough when it comes to OUR health!!!!

Debbie Harris · 03-21-2008, 06:15 PM

I picked up copies of all of my films and ultrasounds and have an appointment at a Breast Care Specialists facility on Tuesday. They say to be prepared to be there for at least 3 hours, and if they discover a need to biopsy they can do it right then. They also do breast MRI there. Thanks for the advice. I will let you know what happens.

Cathya · 03-22-2008, 11:44 AM

Debbie;

A friend of mine also had a dark discharge from her nipple over a period of time. Horrified, she went to a doctor and they also did a variety of tests which came back negative. Ultimately she was told it had to do with her being in menopause and due to some medication she was taking. This was over a year ago and it has since cleared up. I would certainly follow up carefully but have hope that it could be nothing serious. All the best and keep us informed.

Cathy

Debbie Harris · 03-26-2008, 03:21 AM

I went to the breast care specialists yesterday. I was very dissapointed. I thought I would have one on one time with the doctor to discuss my situation. My appoint ment was scheduled for 1:00 and I did not get seen until 4:00. The waiting room was so overcrowded with women waiting to be seen as though they had overbooked for the day. Anyway, they did order a ductogram which I will have done on April 3rd. I will go back there to have it done just so I can have a radiologist that has done this before as I have witnessed several times radiologists performing procedures for the first time, and it is not pretty. If anyone has had one of these done before, can you clue me in on how bad or not bad it was?
Thanks,
Debbie

Bill · 03-30-2008, 01:18 PM

Bumping this up, just in case someone has any info. for Debbie on the ductogram question that may have missed her post.

NanaKaren · 03-30-2008, 02:02 PM

Debbie, having a ductogram is a fairly simple procedure. You will lie on your back, the radiologist will massage your nipple to decide which duct the discharge is coming from. He will then insert a blunt end needle (doesn't hurt) into that duct and inject some contrast material. Then they will have you sit up and have a mammogram -only they won't compress as much (because they don't want the contrast to seep back out). The radiologist will then study your images for any defects in that duct.

Debbie Harris · 03-30-2008, 05:18 PM

That doesn't sound too bad....Thanks NanaKaren!

NanaKaren · 03-30-2008, 05:37 PM

Your welcome Debbie. I, too, am an x-ray tech. You may already have your favorite radiologist, to do these types of procedures. I sure do. Sounds like you are going to a different office than where you work, though. I would not be shy about asking for the rad who is best at this type of procedure. The "fear" is always the unknown. My hope is that you will get the results you are looking for. I will be thinking of you on April 3. I wish I could be there to assist as I have helped with many ductograms.

Debbie Harris · 04-03-2008, 08:21 AM

Ok, I had the procedure done, it was fairly painless. They did find a filling defect, so at least we can now visualize what the problem is. I am scheduled for a needle localization and duct excision on the 14th. They think that it appears to be benign looking in nature on the mammo, but won't know of course until they send it off to pathology. I am sure it will be benign as that is most often the case with these types of things, but better safe than sorry.

NanaKaren · 04-03-2008, 08:29 AM

Debbie, did they explain what a needle localization entails? I am glad that the ductogram went well. Nana Karen

Debbie Harris · 04-04-2008, 04:13 PM

No, they did not really explain in depth what all it entails. I know that they will insert a fine wire via mammography or ultrasound for placement. If you have more info, I would love to know the gory details....Thanks!

NanaKaren · 04-04-2008, 05:04 PM

You will begin by sitting at the mammogram machine. Your breast will be compressed by a grid localizer which contains crosshairs. When they are sure the area of interest is in the field, the radiologist will clean your breast and then use a local anesthetic to numb up the area. A small needle will then be inserted. You should not feel pain, if you do, speak up and more numbing medicine can be added. After the needle is placed two more pictures will be taken to make sure the needle is in the right place. The needle may need to be moved and more pictures taken to make sure the needle is in the right place. At my hospital, we also inject a small amount of blue dye that also aids the surgeon to the right place. When the needle is in the right place a small wire is inserted in the needle and the needle is removed. Two more pictures will be taken to confirm the wire placement. And that is it in a nutshell. You will then be whisked off to surgery where all will go well also. I hope I have been of some help.

duga35 · 04-04-2008, 05:20 PM

Debbie,
The way that my bc was found was from having a discharge. I pushed it aside and tried to ignore it because men just don't get bc. Told myself that it must be a cyst or something. After about 3 months of it getting worse and more frequent my wife made me see the doc. I was in surgery 3 days later.
Just telling you my experience. Since you are female I would lean more towards another issue than I had. It is HIGHLY unusual for man to have a discharge though, or so I have learned, LOL

Debbie Harris · 04-17-2008, 05:13 AM

I had my biopsy on Monday and got good news today that it was a benign papilloma! I am very thankful. Thanks to all of you on this site for your help and information.

NanaKaren · 04-17-2008, 07:48 AM

Oh, Debbie, I am so happy for you. I am so glad you let us know the good news. I was just thinking of you. What did you think of the needle localization? I hope the procedure went well. Nana Karen