What does this biopsy mean? Should I repeat?

hawkeyeworried

I got a hold of my report from my biopsy report and I'm confused. It says that it is so fragmented that they can't confirm more than this (has no post diagnosis):

Focal fibroadenomatoid changes and focal ductal epithelium suggestive of papilloma.

Background: 34 years old, healthy, no breast cancer history in family (only ovarian cancer) I noticed unilateral spontaneous discharge, went in for a mammogram and ultrasound. The ultrasound showed what they said was a papilloma (small .3cm by .4cm). I went in for a biopsy, it wasn't fun, she mentioned it was in a hard spot to get to. Then I get these results. Anyone have a similar experience? I will make an appointment with the surgeon to see what she says but I don't understand why the sample is so bad. Should I get another biopsy somewhere else before jumping to any conclusions? I know all of this is so likely benign and I'd like to avoid removing something unnecessary but I also need to know what is going on and take the safest course! Any guidance would be appreciated. I don't hear from the doc until Monday and it feels like FOREVER.

Moderators

Dear hawkeyeworried, Welcome to the BCO community. We are glad that you reached out here. Here are some links to further information on our website. Information about Breast Changes can be found through this imbedded link on our Breast Health site and Getting and Understanding your Pathology Report can be found on our site here. There is a PDF that you can download to further help you understand your reports. We hope that there is some information here that might be helpful while you wait for others to respond. Having to wait over a weekend for clarifying information can feel like an eternity and yet we think that the most helpful information will come when you talk to your doctor. Keep us posted. The Mods

hawkeyeworried

Thank you for your information and reply! I will look at these links right now.

mustlovepoodles

Fibroadenomatous changes = fibroadenoma. Benign.

Papilloma =benign

MinusTwo

hawkeye - you need to talk to your doc before doing anything else. In the mean time, stay away from 'dr google'. There is some really old info & some scary stuff that probably be relevant to you personally. We all know it's hard to wait. Try to get outdoors & walk, binge watch TV - find something to do to try to keep you from obsessing. Do let know.

djmammo

Hawkeye

Since your pre-biopsy imaging suggested a papilloma and the pathology report indicated evidence for the presence of a papilloma the findings are said to be concordant. The finding of fibroadenomatoid changes is benign and incidental.

The following paragraph is taken from: http://www.cinj.org/sites/cinj/files/documents/MgmtBenignIntraductalPapilloma.pdf

"Management strategies for benign papillary lesions of the breast continue to be controversial and highly variable. It is universally accepted that intraductal papillomas with atypia or carcinoma should be excised. However, some clinicians advocate for immediate surgical excision of BSIPs, while others find close clinical and radiologic observation to be adequate, including several recent studies"

Although technically benign the full-time breast surgeons I know universally remove papillomas.