A breast papilloma (or intraductal papilloma) is a wart-like growth that develops in a breast duct. They are found on breast imaging and are benign (not cancerous). The exact cause is unknown.
A papilloma attaches to the lining of a breast duct by a stalk. If a papilloma grows large enough, it can partially or completely block the duct.
You can have 1 or more papillomas in a single duct, or more than 1 in several ducts. Breast papillomas are usually painless.
Breast papillomas are most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 35 and 50.
Symptoms
Most people will not be able to feel a breast papilloma. A breast papilloma will often be behind the nipple but can be elsewhere in the breast.
The most common symptom of a breast papilloma is a sudden and unexpected clear or bloody discharge that comes out on its own from a nipple.
Diagnosis
A healthcare provider will usually diagnose a breast papilloma with an ultrasound. Less often, they will use a special x-ray called a galactogram.
While breast papillomas are not cancerous, they can be related to a more serious lesion (abnormal tissue) nearby. Your healthcare provider may send you for a biopsy, where a small sample of the papilloma is removed. A biopsy can help your healthcare provider decide if you need more tests or to determine if the papilloma needs to be removed.
Most breast papillomas do not need to be removed unless they keep causing bothersome symptoms, such as nipple discharge.
