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Intraductal papilloma of the breast
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Intraductal papilloma of the mammary gland is a benign formation. The papilloma develops in the milk duct from epithelial cells.
A papilloma can be compared to a cystic formation; hemorrhages and necrosis (tissue death) can form around the neoplasm.
The neoplasm is easily injured, which causes bloody discharge into the excretory ducts and then from the nipple to the outside.
Intraductal papilloma is considered a precancerous condition; multiple papillomas most often develop into a malignant tumor.
[ Causes intraductal papilloma of the breast.
Intraductal papilloma of the mammary gland, like most disorders, develops as a result of hormonal imbalance in a woman’s body.
The development of papilloma can be provoked by dysfunction of the ovaries, inflammatory processes in them, obesity against the background of hormonal imbalance, infectious diseases of the appendages, constant stress.
Women who have never given birth, especially smokers, are most at risk of developing papilloma of the mammary gland. The disease is least often diagnosed in women who have given birth, non-smoking women who breastfed and used hormonal contraceptives.
Often, papillomas develop in the area of development of mammary gland diseases. After diseases, the ducts in the glands increase, which increases the risk of cystic growths.
Symptoms intraductal papilloma of the breast.
Intraductal papilloma of the mammary gland manifests itself in the early stages by discharge from the nipple, this should be the first alarm signal for a woman. At first, a small amount of translucent, bloody or slightly yellow fluid is released from the nipple. If the discharge becomes green or deep yellow, this may indicate an infectious process in the duct.
The development of pathology can be determined by self-examination of the breast (by palpation), but this method allows only large neoplasms or those that develop in the main duct to be identified.
In the area of the areola, you can find an elastic node that has a round shape; if you press on such a node, pain appears.
As inflammatory processes develop at the site of the tumor, the node becomes denser and the adjacent tissues swell.
Where does it hurt?
Diagnostics intraductal papilloma of the breast.
Intraductal papilloma of the mammary gland can be diagnosed during examination (if the neoplasms are too large), after the results of additional examinations (ultrasound, X-ray, mammography, etc.).
During the examination, a mammologist can detect a tumor after palpation, but to confirm the diagnosis, a study of discharge from the nipple is mandatory.
If the test results confirm the development of a malignant process, then an urgent consultation with an oncologist and further examination are scheduled.
To confirm the development of papilloma, the doctor may prescribe the following tests:
- ultrasound examination of mammary glands;
- mammography;
- ductography;
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- biopsy.
Ductography allows you to determine parameters that can help the surgeon during the operation - the size and location of the neoplasm.
Before ductography, you should not massage your breasts or express milk.
Other diagnostic methods help to distinguish a benign process from a malignant one.
What do need to examine?
Who to contact?
Treatment intraductal papilloma of the breast.
Intraductal papilloma of the mammary gland is considered a precancerous condition, therefore treatment with folk remedies or medications is completely excluded.
One treatment option for this pathology is surgery.
The neoplasm is removed using sectoral resection. This operation involves the removal of those breast tissues that contain pathological ducts.
Surgery for intraductal papilloma of the mammary gland
Intraductal papilloma of the mammary gland is subject to surgical treatment only. In case of papilloma, sectoral resection is prescribed.
This operation involves the removal of pathological ducts and tissues.
The operation is performed under local anesthesia (novocaine or lidocaine). General anesthesia is prescribed for neoplasms that are not palpable and are visible only on ultrasound or mammography, as well as in case of allergy to local anesthetic drugs or if the resection is part of an organ-preserving operation.
First, the surgeon marks the incision lines and makes an incision, then the tumor is removed, measures are taken to stop the bleeding and the sutures are adjusted so that cavities do not form.
The removed area of the mammary gland is necessarily sent for histological examination (usually the results are ready within 20-30 minutes) to identify cancer cells.
Removal of intraductal papilloma of the mammary gland
Intraductal papilloma of the mammary gland is removed using an incision along the edge of the areola. After the incisions, the surgeon examines the milk ducts and removes the dilated and altered ones, along with the papilloma and blood clots. If the papilloma appears on the nipple, the surgeon removes it using a gentle method (coagulation or laser), if possible.
After the tumor is removed, it is sent for histological examination to rule out a malignant process.
If cancer cells are detected in the tumor, chemotherapy or radiation therapy is prescribed.
Nowadays, when removing papillomas, surgeons try to achieve an aesthetic effect by applying a cosmetic suture to the wound, which leaves no trace of the operation.
Prevention
Intraductal papilloma of the mammary gland is rarely diagnosed in women who have given birth and breastfed, and therefore experts recommend that women do not give up breastfeeding.
First of all, experts advise women to take good care of their health. It is necessary to regularly undergo preventive examinations by a gynecologist, and after 35 years, also visit a mammologist and regularly do mammograms.
All inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system must be treated promptly and completely; it is also important to treat hormonal imbalances.
A woman can conduct self-examinations, which can help detect a tumor at an early stage of development, as well as lead a healthy lifestyle, do not abuse alcohol and quit smoking.
Forecast
Intraductal papilloma of the mammary gland is a benign formation, so the prognosis in this case is usually favorable.
Treatment of this type of tumor is quite easy; as a rule, a relapse is possible if the disease is detected in the last stages.
Benign tumor cells rarely develop into cancer cells, however, this does happen occasionally, so after removing the tumor, it is necessary to conduct a histological examination.
Intraductal papilloma of the mammary gland is a benign formation that affects the milk ducts. In most cases, the disease occurs due to hormonal imbalance, which can be provoked by an unhealthy lifestyle, poor nutrition, harmful production, frequent stress, taking hormonal contraceptives, as well as some types of petroleum-based cosmetics (petroleum jelly, talc, etc.). In addition, hormonal imbalance can occur for a natural reason, since with age, the level of hormones in the body changes.