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Intraductal papilloma
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An intraductal papilloma is a benign tumor, meaning not cancerous, that grows tucked inside a duct of the breast. The ducts are the tubes that carry milk toward the nipple, and what happens here is that the epithelium, the layer of cells that lines them on the inside, multiplies abnormally and forms a small lump in there.
Seen under the microscope it has a very recognizable structure. At its center it has a fibrovascular core, which is a stalk of supporting tissue with blood vessels inside, and that stalk is covered by epithelial and myoepithelial cells. It looks like a bud hanging inside the tube.
There are two ways it shows up. When there is only one, it is usually central, right behind the nipple, and large. When there are several, they sit closer to the periphery of the breast and are smaller. What can make it noticeable is discharge from the nipple, clear or bloody.
And here is the important part. Even though the papilloma itself is benign, it is classified as a high-risk precursor lesion, because it is associated with atypia, with ductal carcinoma in situ and with carcinoma. Atypia means cells with an altered shape, and in situ means it has not yet left the duct.
In brief
An intraductal papilloma is a benign tumor that grows inside a breast duct as its ductal epithelium proliferates.
Under the microscope it is a fibrovascular core covered by epithelial and myoepithelial cells.
A bud with its stalk of vessels inside the tube.
Solitary ones are usually central, behind the nipple, and large; multiple ones are usually peripheral and small. It can cause bloody or clear nipple discharge.
Though benign, it is classified as a high-risk precursor lesion because it is associated with atypia, ductal carcinoma in situ and carcinoma.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingIntraductal Papilloma, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated