Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 12/13/2010

Question
Hi there - a few years ago it was discovered that I had a few lumps in my breast and a needle biopsy came back as "inconclusive"  I had a mammogram last year and an ultrasound and this also was ok.  Last week I had an exam and a new lump was discovered and they did a needle biopsy.  When I called for the result I was told that they needle to redo it as there was blood in the sample.  What does this mean and could it be cancerous or what.  Also is it normal to have lots of lumps in your breast and pain (only in one breast)Thank you

Answer
Blood only tells us that there is blood there. However the risk of a bleeding is somewhat higher if cancer is present, BUT it may also have been caused just by hitting a blood vessel by chance.  So I strongly suggest a new needle biopsy and a new mammography and ultrasound breast scan. If possible also a breast MRI scan since you probably have a dense breast problem (makes mammography alone less reliable) though I understand that that may be difficult to arrange in the UK due to National Health Insurance rules. I would not call it normal but it is certainly not unheard of. Humans are rarely completely symmetrical. Good luck!



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