Questions about Papilloma

Todohert

Hello! I was diagnosed with a benign intraductual papilloma that was 5mm and found in the lower quadrent of my breast. No nipple discharge and this was found deeper in my breast tissue. I have an appt. with a breast surgeon in two weeks. Here are my questions:

1. How do I know if it is a single or multiple papilloma? Nothing said on the pathology report. When they showed me a picture of it on the ultrasound it was a single lump.

2. Since it is so small should I request that they remove it?

3. Can taking estrogen (without progesterin) cause this?

4. Is it to small to cause nipple discharge?

5. Are these usually "once and done" or do they normally return?

6. Do they normally do an extraction or can they do a vaccum biopsy?

I know you all arent doctors (or maybe you are?), but I appreciate the answers. Ive looked so much on the internet with so much varied information that I'm hoping to hear from women who have really gone through this.

Lauriette58

Hi there, I have questions as well but papilloma is something i am familiar with. I had one removed in June of 2013 and was not "given a choice" my surgeon who I trusted just said "the biopsy says pap and we are removing it." Prior to this I had calcium deposits and THAT concerned them so they removed a them through a surgical biopsy and that report was "appearing like this will BECOME breast cancer IN SITU" so she sent that to the mayo clinic and they said "not even a zero breast cancer, just keep your eye on it"

So that was 2005 and they suggested tamoxofin (can you imagine I would have taken it for 5 years and then taken it again now) so I opted out of that and kept on it.

My feeling was that they wanted to go in there to make sure there were no stray cancer cells. I wondered with the c deposits if this was showing this later etc.

Now for the rest of my story. Hope not boring you. My mom died of ovarian cancer. I had a suspicious for cancer ovary, but it was very cystic and they removed it.

I hung on to my other ovary until I was 51. At that time I went on HRT (lowest dose) for 4 years and then cut that does in half and was weaning myself for another 4 years.

I got breast cancer in my right breast and now have to do rads. So, # 1 I am now advising AGAINST HRT and of course if you have your uterus you should be on COMBINED or you can mess yourself up. i wish I had gotten off it sooner. My cancer was estrogen receptive, I wonder if I did this to myself?

The good news is the oncotype test came back a 9. That is what they do for estrogen positive and HER2 negative cancers. To estimate if it will recur. But had I to do it over?

I would get off HRT as soon as you can.

I never had nipple discharge either. It showed in a mammo and usound.

Dunno if they can return, but again, I had information that I ignored because they said i was at high risk/dense breasts and atypia cells and I also had thyroid cancer.

NOW they are telling me that puts you at risk.

Who knew and hope that helps.

My question for the ladies is "do I need 6 weeks of radiation or do they adjust the dose and time based on your situation"

?

Georgia1

Hi Todohert. My story is quite a bit different. I had nipple discharge for literally years, and radiologists and OB/GYNs would say "no problem, probably a benign papilloma" and leave it at that. Then when the IDC was found on MRI, and surgery performed, pathology confirmed a couple of pappilomas and again my surgeon, RO and MO had zero concern. So...

As far as I know, if you have dense breasts, pappilomas are hard to detect. You may have more than one. They don't necessarily cause discharge. And there's no real reason to remove them; multiple pappilomas have been shown to correlate with a higher risk of BC but the increase is really small. But definitely talk it over with your BS and act based on their advice plus your own risk tolerance. You very well could be fine with regular check-ups rather than surgery but it's your choice.

Ja9831

Hi, I’m in the same exact boat. My bs told me it’s up to me what I want to do. Either leave it to be monitored or remove it. Although I’m not too comfortable with that advice. I feel kinda torn with what I should do. So I’m going for a second opinion. In the event I get told the same thing I’ll feel more at ease that it’s not that serious. Reading all the info on these papillomas makes one a little confused

Todohert

I have my consultation with the BS on Tuesday. Even though its benign, Im hoping she removes it. Im wondering if she will want to look for more since I have dense breast tissue. I guess I will find out.

sadwife

This is a very old thread but would love to hear what you all ended up deciding - remove papilloma or not and then how things are going for you. Thanks!!

Todohert

I did have it removed. For me, I just wanted it out. I didn’t have had any problems during or after the procedure. My breast surgeon told me I was at very low risk of getting breast cancer, but it can be nerve wracking when these things sudden appear. Let me know if you have more questions about it.

sadwife

Thanks so much for responding @Todohert! I am thinking along those lines as well but need to see my surgeon next week before making a decision. I have tiny breasts and worry a bit about the impact if two relatively large (almost 2 cm dia) lumps are removed, one of them right below the nipple. Also, worried about losing sensation in the nipple. Did you have any such concerns?

Murfy

When my 2.5cm painful papilloma was finally removed, it contained a 1cm IDC and a calcification indicative of a DCIS. My IDC was aggressive and required chemo and I'm still taking an AI. Everyone's circumstances are different, but my biggest regret through this whole ordeal was not having the papilloma removed sooner...

Todohert

I totally understand your concerns and am happy you get to see your breast surgeon next week. That will relieve a lot of stress...at least it did for me.

In my situation, I thought I would have a scar that showed and that I would also lose sensation, but neither happened. Three years later I can’t even see the scar.

I don’t know if you are like me, but when there is something happening health wise I tend to go to “Dr. Google” which is never good. I also understand that it is comforting to talk to people going through the same thing so if you are on that path, please stay off google and stick to forums like this.

Let me know how your appt goes!!

sadwife

Todohert and others here, I did have my appointment and the breast surgeon recommended lumpectomy for both lesions. She thinks she can preserve some shape. Apparently, my lumps are too big and typically, when papillomas are palpable, they should be removed.

I am seeing another surgeon for a second opinion tomorrow. Will let you all know how it goes.