Intraductal Papilloma
Intraductal papillomas are benign growths inside the breast’s milk ducts. They can cause nipple discharge and are often detected on imaging or biopsy. While many papillomas are noncancerous, surgical removal is often recommended to confirm the diagnosis and reduce the chance of recurrence.
At The Medical Group of New Jersey, we help you understand the biopsy results and choose the safest, most appropriate next step.
Symptom Onset & Initial Evaluation
Intraductal papillomas are small, usually benign growths that develop inside the milk ducts of the breast. These lesions most commonly occur near the nipple and may cause symptoms that prompt further evaluation.
Patients with papillomas may notice:
- Clear or bloody nipple discharge, often coming from a single duct
- A small lump near the nipple, though this is not always present
- An abnormal finding on breast imaging, such as ultrasound or mammography
During your evaluation, your breast surgeon will review your symptoms in detail, including the appearance and timing of any nipple discharge and whether it occurs spontaneously or only with pressure.
Your provider will also assess for associated skin or nipple changes and perform a focused breast and lymph node examination.
Diagnosis
When a papilloma is suspected, imaging and biopsy are used to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether any abnormal cells are present.1
Diagnostic evaluation may include:
- Diagnostic mammography and targeted breast ultrasound to identify and characterize the lesion
- Image-guided core needle biopsy when a suspicious area is visible on imaging
- Pathology analysis of the biopsy sample to determine whether atypical or precancerous cells are present
These results help your care team determine whether the papilloma can be monitored safely or should be surgically removed.
1. Hui, Ka Luen, et al. “Papillary Lesions of Breast on Core-Needle Biopsy: Factors Associated with Malignant Upgrade on Surgical Excision.” Journal of Clinical Imaging Science, vol. 16, Feb. 2026, p. 5.
Treatment & Ongoing Management
Treatment decisions depend on the biopsy results, imaging findings, and the presence of symptoms such as nipple discharge.
Management options may include:
- Surgical excision of the papilloma and involved duct(s), particularly when the lesion causes symptoms, contains atypical cells, or when imaging and biopsy findings do not fully match
- Careful imaging follow-up in selected low-risk cases, such as a single papilloma without atypia, when imaging and biopsy findings are clearly consistent
Your breast surgeon will discuss the risks and benefits of each approach to help determine the most appropriate plan for your individual situation.
Follow-Up Care
After treatment, patients receive a follow-up plan to monitor breast health and ensure proper healing.
Follow-up care may include:
- Post-procedure visits to evaluate healing after surgery
- Routine breast imaging, such as mammography or ultrasound, as part of ongoing surveillance
If atypical cells are identified, your care team may also recommend risk-reduction counseling and enhanced screening strategies to support long-term breast health.