What should you pay attention to?

What is intraductal papilloma? What are its symptoms?  How is it detected and treated? How dangerous and noteworthy is it and what do women have to consider – these are the topics we are discussing with the oncosurgeon of the Institute of Clinical Oncology Maria Simonova.

Intraductal papilloma is a benign breast pathology when the tumorous process develops in the lumen of the mammary ducts. It differs from other benign diseases by belonging to pre-cancerous diseases and therefore requires special attention.

- What are its symptoms?

The main complaint of patients is the presence of bloody discharge from the nipple. As you know, discharge (whitish, yellowish, greenish, etc.) can also be present in other breast diseases or conditions caused by hormonal disbalance. However, in the case of intraductal papilloma, the presence of bloody discharge, even its few episodes attract attention. There may also be discomfort, pain in the mammary gland, rarely - a cancerous area on palpation. The main symptom is the presence of clearly bloody discharge.

- How is it diagnosed?

The above-mentioned complaint already enables doctors to suspect this particular disease. Diagnosis is standard: manual examination of the patient, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and cytological examination of the discharge.

- Which treatment modalities are offered?

There is only one, surgical modality of treatment.

• What does surgical treatment imply?

The scope of the surgical intervention does not exceed sectoral resection or lumpectomy, which involves the removal of damaged tissue from the mammary gland through a small incision. The operation is performed under intravenous, short-term anesthesia, with a cosmetic margin. Such surgical interventions do not require long-term rehabilitation and hospitalization.

- What is the duration of the operation?

As a rule, it does not exceed half an hour. The patient is discharged the next day after the operation and returns to his usual lifestyle.

- At what age is this diagnosis most often observed in women?

 Mostly from the age of 40

- Are there any provoking factors?

There are no concrete factors, provoking this disease.  As in the case of any other breast pathology, hormonal disbalance, being overweight, and chronic stress can be considered risk factors. 

- How dangerous is this diagnosis in the case of not paying attention and being delayed? 

As previously mentioned, intraductal papilloma is regarded as a pre-cancerous disease. Potentially, this pathology can be considered as a precursor for breast malignant (often non-invasive – carcinoma in situ) tumors unlike other benign tumors (fibroadenoma, cyst, hamartoma, etc.), degeneration of which to a malignant tumor is casuistry.  Therefore, the women should immediately refer the doctor for timely detection and treatment.  Wishing you good health!