Breast Intraductal Papilloma

Introduction

• Description: Intraductal papilloma involves polypoid fibrovascular tumors that are covered by benign ductal epithelium and that arise in the ducts of the breast.

• Prevalence: Found in 0.4% of the general population and up to 20% of women older than 70 years.

• Predominant Age: Median age is 40 years; most common just before menopause.

• Genetics: No genetic pattern.

Etiology and Pathogenesis

• Causes: Unknown.

• Risk Factors: None known.

Signs and Symptoms

• Spontaneous, intermittent, bloody, serous, or cloudy unilateral nipple discharge (approximately 50%–75% of patients), varying from a few drops to a few milliliters of fluid; serosanguineous or bloody nipple discharge is associated with malignancy in between 7%–17% of cases, but the color or clarity of the fluid cannot diagnose or rule out carcinoma

• Sense of fullness below the nipple, relieved by the passage of discharge

• Mass rare—tumors from 2–5 mm in diameter typically are not palpable

Diagnostic Approach