Breast Cancer/breast issues

Advertisement

Expert: - 8/30/2009


Question
When I was 23 my right breast which is inverted started to have discharge leak from it.It then started to become itchy, and the only way to relieve the itchiness was to squeeze the nipple...which secreted discharge from it. When I was 27 the right breast got mastitis and I had to be admitted to the hospital and was put on I.V. antibiotics. Now I am 30 and the right breast is visibly smaller then the left breast and still secreting discharge when it's squeezed . My question is: I am now pregnant, and only my left breast is sore, I am wondering A) what could cause the ongoing discharge when the right nipple is squeezed for the last 7 years, and B) will I beable to breast feed from my right breast when my baby  is born?

Answer
This is more a question for a gynecologist or a breast surgeon. (I'm a medical oncologist & radiation therapist, so my subject here is cancer and only cancer). But I'll try to answer it. The probable cause of your problems is an intraductal papilloma (a wart INSIDE a milk duct)partly blocking outflow from that duct. You probably will be able to. But I can not promise anything and you should discuss this problem with your gynecologist. Good luck!

Breast Cancer

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

Expertise

I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

Experience

I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

Education/Credentials
I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.