Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Biopsy for dilated duct

I had mammo that showed asymettry and then did another mammogram and an ultrasound. 7 mm size area.  I can feel a hard, non moving lump that feels like a pea or a pebble.  The radiolgist said Dilated Duct.  The Dr called today and is referring me to breast surgeon. She wants another evaluation and thinks they need to rule out in situ cancer, etc. I am 61; had hysterectomy at 32; hormones for about 3 years after.  There is no pain really (other than I keep feeling it) and no discharge. Is it something that can/should be removed?1) Is a biopsy routine for this?
2) Dr. mentioned some duct test?
1 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
15695260 tn?1549593113
Hello and welcome to the forum.  Sorry you are going through this as it is always a bit frightening. But it sounds like you have a very proactive doctor that you are working with which is excellent.  Better to rule out cancer than to have any doubt.  I will say that normally a dilated duct which is a fluid filled cyst in the duct often times hurts and causes nipple discharge.  However, for some women there are no symptoms.  Treatment for these usually entails antibiotics.  Were you prescribed these? Surgery does occur for it but is not very common.  Here is some information on dilated ducts in breasts. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mammary-duct-ectasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20374801

Ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS is what they are wanting to rule out.  This is a non invasive cancer inside the duct. In situ means it's stayed in place where the abnormal cells started growing. This, however, can change and it can become invasive. A lump is usually the sign of this which you can see has some overlap with dilated ducts. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dcis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371889  The biopsy will tell you which one.  But it appears they feel fairly sure it is a dilated duct rather than DCIS and fingers crossed this is the case.  Better to know as early treatment is always the best course of action with breast cancer.  

When is your biopsy?
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Breast Cancer Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
A quick primer on the different ways breast cancer can be treated.
Diet and digestion have more to do with cancer prevention than you may realize
From mammograms to personal hygiene, learn the truth about these deadly breast cancer rumors.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.