Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 3/21/2011

Question
Hello.  About six months ago while performing a breast self-exam I noticed that when I raised my arms, the skin in the lower inner quandrant of my left breast pulled in.  In the upper inner quadrant the tissue is subtly more flattened than it was before.  Sometimes, when the skin is warmer and relaxed there is a light line of indentation there as well.  I have had consistent non-cyclic pain in the breast for more than three months.  The pain is primarily in the nipple and behind the nipple.  It is a burning pain, but sometimes it feels slightly tingly.  I have had a breast ultrasound which was interpreted as revealing nothing to worry about.  Recently I had a mammogram.  Because of my age (31) the technician took one photo of each breast.  She examined the images and indicated that it didn't look like there was a need to take more images.  I have also experienced occasional opaque discharge from the left breast.  I have been told that breast cancer in people my age is rare and that because my medical imaging didn't reveal anything I probably don't have anything to worry about.  Do you know of any breast conditions that have the symptoms that I am currently experiencing?  Can you suggest questions to ask my physician to help me understand what is going on with my body?  Are there cancers, outside of inflammatory breast cancer, that do not have lumps that can be palpated, seen on an ultrasound or detected in a mammogram?  Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Answer
Your symptoms in my opinion are not signs of any breast cancer. It is probably a variation of a fibrocystic breast condition. But even so you should let a doctor - for example your gynecologist - check you regularly to be on the safe side.



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