What Causes Lump In The Left Side Of Breast Which Is Bleeding?

Posted on Thu, 24 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 Answered on

Wed, 14 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : A lump is the left side breast bleeding. As shown in the photo, The purple part is not the problem, the lump is just beneath the nipple. The type B ultrasonic check was done 2 years ago. The lump is getting larger since, it's now 2*3*2. Would like to know the reason. Many thanks.

Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Seems intraductal papilloma.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.

I have read your query and seen the image uploaded by you. From your query it seems that you have a lump underneath the left breast nipple and is slowly growing since 2 years. You also have some purple discoloration of the skin. You have also used the word bleeding, which seems that you are discharging red fluid or blood from the left breast nipple. If you can tell the consistency of the lump (whether it is hard or soft) and other details about it, I will be better able to help.

This red discharge can be sent for cytology. If this is coming from a single duct it is more worrisome.

Ultrasound is usually done to find the size and constituents of the lump. If you have recent reports from the ultrasound please upload.

The mass should be biopsied and send for cytology.

The presence of blood in discharge is an indication for thorough investigations and ultimately surgery. If it was duct ectasia, it would have white or green coloured discharge. Moreover the purple discolouration may be associated with the lump. It may be cancerous but most lumps below nipple that drain blood are intraductal papillomas. Thus go for more tests (considering your age, presence of bleeding and purple discolouration).

Hope it helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Dr Vaishalee

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vaishalee Punj (1 hour later)

Thanks for the reply. That's very helpful.
The lump is really hard, when it was bleeding, the size of lump stays little, now it stops bleeding for few months, the lump get larger immediately.
The fluid is mostly red, and easily to wash off than actual blood.
If it's proven to be intraductal papilloma, does it require to cut off all left breast? If so, does that can prevent the same symptom happen in the second? what's the best solution for this? Any idea what may cause that?
Many thanks.

Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Papillomas are benign

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

The lump seems to be getting hard just before bloody fluid is discharged. Cancerous lesions are stony hard. Most probably it is intraductal papilloma.

Now coming to your specific questions.

If it's proven to be intraductal papilloma, does it require to cut off all left breast?
A. Intraductal papillomas are benign and do not require cutting off al the breast. Just the lump is excised and sent for biopsy.

If so, does that can prevent the same symptom happen in the second?
A. No

what's the best solution for this?
A. Surgical excision is the best option. Since sometimes atypia may be present which may give rise to cancers.
At one time intraductal papillomas were considered precancerous but nowadays, they are treated conservatively (for even upto 5 years they are just followed up with tests only). Some recent studies suggest that it is not precancerous.

Any idea what may cause that?
A. No idea. No one knows.

Hope it helps.

Dr Vaishalee

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar