Topic: duct excision, nipple exploration

Posted on: Nov 5, 2009 11:00 am

OH
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5

zazy wrote:

Nipple discharge cells were abnormal so I'm scheduled for duct excision biopsy and nipple exploration next month. The doctor drew a diagram of the incision but I still don't know what to expect. Big scar, little scar, no scar? Will I look different? Does it hurt afterward? When do you get results? No lump just discharge.

Posts 1 - 7 (7 total)
zazy OH Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 5	Log in to post a reply Nov 6, 2009 12:58 pm zazy wrote: So maybe nobody is going through this but me. Just makes it more nerve wracking. If you take out the duct and it is malignant then that's it right? Over and done. Or is something worse in store. Nothing hurts, no lump after 2 breast exams, discharge not bloody surgeon says duct excision biopsy is the only way to know. But what happens after that?
whatisthis Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 26	Log in to post a reply Nov 7, 2009 06:00 pm whatisthis wrote: Hi Zazy- I had a duct excision and nipple biopsy done on Oct 2nd. The surgery went great and everything was healing up until about 2 weeks ago. I started having discharge again and didn't think much of it until yesterday when I was taking my daughter to the doctor and my incision starting gushing puss and blood. Today I went to the ER and found it it's all infected and I have to go back to the surgeon on Thursday. Despite this little bump in the road the surgery and recovery were easy and the scaring is minimal. My results were b9 with duct ectasia as the problem. They removed all the ducts in my right breast and within days my symptoms of nipple discharge, pain, redness, etc., all disappeared. Still perplexed as to how my incision popped open and is infected but my guess is carrying around my kids doesn't help much. Once you have the results you'll feel a million times better. The waiting truly is the hardest part of all of it. Also, if you have kids make sure you have some help for after the surgery. I wish you the best and I'm praying for b9 results for you!
zazy OH Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 5	Log in to post a reply Nov 7, 2009 06:27 pm zazy wrote: Thank you. Your words are a great comfort to me. I think I can hold on til Dec 30th. Lucky me, surgery on the day before New Years Eve :( I'm glad you're on the right track but remember you can't take care of the kids if you don't take care of yourself. I'll keep you updated.
CrunchyPood… Metro Atlanta, GA Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 139	Log in to post a reply Nov 8, 2009 01:07 am, edited Nov 8, 2009 11:46 AM by CrunchyPoodleMama CrunchyPoodleMama wrote: I'm "bookmarking" this thread because although I'm no help with the answer, I suspect I may be going to have to have something like this, because 1) my tumor is very close to the nipple, and 2) I have teeny amounts of blood coming from one duct. Are you saying they tested nipple discharge? I asked them if they would do it for me, but they said since I definitely do have cancer, it would be an unnecessary test and they'd still have to do a core biopsy. FWIW, when I was freaking out about bloody discharge, I kept reading stats that said 9/10 cases of discharge are benign. (I guess I'm just one of the lucky ones! ) I'm sure you'll be just fine! Julie ~ I don't judge you for having chemo... please don't flame me or tell me I'm going to die a horrible death because I choose not to. Diagnosis: 10/24/2009, 5cm
desdemona22… Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 557	Log in to post a reply Nov 8, 2009 02:40 am desdemona222b wrote: If the biopsy comes up with a malignancy, you will then go into the hospital for a lumpectomy or mastectomy. The lumpectomy is necessary after biopsy so they can get clean margins all the way around the tumor to ensure no diseased tissue is left. Diagnosis: 11/17/2001, DCIS, <1cm, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/0 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2+
zazy OH Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 5	Log in to post a reply Nov 8, 2009 08:08 am zazy wrote: Yes, the OB/GYN did a smear of the discharge. I had a consultation with the surgeon who indicated the cells were abnormal and that a biopsy was the only way to go. He felt it was unlikely to be anything serious but just to be sure. I can't even write the C word.
whatisthis Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 26	Log in to post a reply Nov 8, 2009 04:05 pm whatisthis wrote: My smear test, mammogram, and ultrasound were all abnormal. They tried to do the ductogram but if failed because they couldn't get the ducts to bleed. Anyway just wanted to say that biopsy is really the only way to know. And as you've read 80% of lumps are b9 so the stats are in your favor! Hang in there and just know that the waiting is the hardest part.

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