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Persistent white spot on nipple

mineral2
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Hello, I have noticed a small white spot on the side of my left nipple in late May. It is a tiny (now more than 5 mm) but clearly visible white spot on the nipple. It looks like a pimple with no head. Firstly, I thought it was a pimple but it won't come to a head. I know I shouldn't, but I have tried squeezing it and nothing happens. There is no discharge from the spot. It is not painful unless I touch it. I hasn't changed at all since it first appeared. I tried using salicylic acid, tea tree oil, epsom salt, warm compresses for a couple of weeks but nothing helped, so I have now left it alone.  

I had had a mammogram and ultrasound back in January when I was in my home country just as part of a check-up. A partially calcified fibroadenoma was noted in the left breast and some small cysts in both breasts. I had a follow up appointment with a breast surgeon and another ultrasound scan in mid June in the UK. The scan confirmed the fibroadenoma, I thought these appear to younger women, but surgeon and radiologist said it appears completely benign and doesn't need a biopsy. I also asked the surgeon about the spot and she didn't seem to find it at all worrying, said it's just a blockage. Her report wrote it's keratinaceous material in one of the duct opening which should go away by itself. She didn't prescribe anything about it. However, the spot has not yet gone away.

I am 42 years old and have never been pregnant. I am not on any hormonal contraception.  The spot looks similar to milk blebs, most information about such spots that I could find mentions pregnancy and breast feeding. I also read that in rare cases it could result from a tumour pressing on a duct. I'm increasingly worried about it, I will book another appointment to get to the bottom of it. I'm not sure why the surgeon was so dismissive about it. The spot appeared overnight and hasn't changed at all since. 

Otherwise, I feel fine, left breast is a bit more sensitive before periods, but other than this spot I can't notice other changes in the nipple or the skin of the breasts.

I should see a doctor again, but it would be good to know if there are any resources about such spots that don't focus on breastfeeding women. Has anyone on this forum noticed similar spots?

  • Hello, and thank you for posting .

    I am afraid I do not know what the spot on your nipple is and why you have it, but it is good to hear you have had three clear scans this year and been seen by two doctors. The breast surgeon and the oncologist will have reviewed and discussed the scans, and examined you, so will have been able to make a clear and thorough assessment of your breasts. But, if you are still worried despite this it is best to speak to your GP and tell them that you remain concerned about cancer.

    You have asked for other forum users experiences of nipple spots, they may come forward but do remember whats happened will be individual to them.

    Here is some information from the UK's Breast Cancer Now charity on fibroadenomas if you haven't read this already which may be useful.

    Take care and I hope you get the information you need soon.

    Sarah.

  • Offline

    Hi Mineral.

    I thought I would reply to your comment as I understand totally where you are coming from. I am also 42 with no children and never breast fed either. I have a white pimple hardish lump in the middle of my right nipple which I’ve now had for exactly 3 months and counting ti this very day. I have had a recent mammogram and an ultrasound which only showed up multiple small cysts in each breast but nothing else just like yours did. Over time it has got whiter in appearance and I too have tried tea tree oil cream, warm compresses and Epsom salt baths and tried popping it with a needle but again nothing comes out of it either just like yours too. I was seen 6 weeks ago by a breast surgeon who stated it could be a small cyst adenoma or a blocked duct and I too was sent back home and he stated there was no need for concern or a biopsy. I wasn’t happy about this and asked for a 2nd opinion of which I’m still waiting to have now 6 weeks on from my scans. If a blocked duct then surely they would need to unblock it by at least doing something you would think.? I too like you are still worried as cancer if the skin surface has not been fully ruled out yet. It looks like I’ve had mine far longer than you have now and I swear it has grown 2mm in size from when it first appeared and was measured at 2mm with my GP.

    it feels like I am just being fobbed off and every day is a worry because it won’t disappear and like yours it came up over night  too. How can the breast clinic leave us both with this and just expect us not to worry,? Please stay in contact as I feel we have so much in common with this problem that is scary to deal with.

    Amy x

  • in reply to Amya

    Hello Amy and thank you for your post.

    It's good to know that so far no investigation of your breasts has been seen to have breast cancer. A blocked milk duct or adenoma is not usually treated unless they cause problems.

    You have a second opinion coming up so do discuss this with the breast team and tell them about your concerns of breast cancer. You could also discuss this with your GP.

    I hope you are reassured at your next appointment

    Take care

    Caroline

  • Offline in reply to Amya

    Hello, Amya. At least it's positive that your scans didn't show anything worrying. I saw a surgeon again, she mentioned these spots are common and most likely not worrisome. But, I can't understand why it persists. She advised to see her again if the spot looks inflamed or infected, and suggested she could pop it with a needle if I remain concerned. I think I should ask her to do this, hopefully then it would be easier to tell what it is. She said these spots usually go away without any treatment. 

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