Intraductal papillomas of the

breast The breast is one of two prominences located on the upper ventral region of a primate's torso. Both females and males develop breasts from the same embryological tissues. In females, it serves as the mammary gland, which produces and secret ...

are benign

lesion A lesion is any damage or abnormal change in the tissue of an organism, usually caused by disease or trauma. ''Lesion'' is derived from the Latin "injury". Lesions may occur in plants as well as animals. Types There is no designated classifi ...

s with an incidence of approximately 2-3% in humans. They result from abnormal proliferation of the epithelial cells lining the breast ducts. Two types of intraductal papillomas are generally distinguished. The central type develops near the nipple. They are usually solitary and often arise in the years nearing menopause. On the other hand, the peripheral type are often multiple papillomas arising at the peripheral ducts, and are usually found in younger women. The peripheral type are associated with a higher risk of malignancy. They are the most common cause of bloody

nipple discharge Nipple discharge is fluid from the nipple, with or without squeezing the breast. The discharge can be milky, clear, green, purulent, bloody, or faintly yellow. The consistency can be thick, thin, sticky, or watery. Nipple discharge may be norma ...

in women age 20-40 and generally do not show up on mammography due to their small size. They may be detectable on ultrasound. A galactogram is the most definitive test but is somewhat invasive. The masses are often too small to be

palpate Palpation is the process of using one's hands to check the body, especially while perceiving/diagnosing a disease or illness. Usually performed by a health care practitioner, it is the process of feeling an object in or on the body to determine ...

d or felt. A galactogram is therefore necessary to diagnose the type of lesion. Excision is sometimes performed. Microdochectomy/microdochotomy (removal of a breast duct) is the treatment of choice.

Additional images

Image:Intraductal papilloma histopathology (1).jpg, Histopathology of intraductal papilloma of the breast by excisional biopsy. Hematoxylin and eosin stain. Image:Intraductal papilloma histopathology (2) smooth muscle actin.JPG, Histopathology of intraductal papilloma of the breast by excisional biopsy. Immunostaining for alpha-smooth muscle actin. File:Ultrasound 12070I26 intraductal papilloma nevit.jpg File:Ultrasound 12070I33 intraductal papilloma nevit.jpg File:Ultrasound 12070I40 intraductal papilloma nevit.jpg File:Ultrasound 12070I6 intraductal papilloma nevit.jpg File:Ultrasound 12070I25 intraductal papilloma nevit.jpg File:Ultrasound 12070I12 intraductal papilloma nevit.jpg

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Intraductal Papilloma Breast neoplasia