Hi everyone, I’ve been lurking for several weeks now and decided to share my experiences to date and hopefully get some advice on the way. I’m 46 and for the past 4 yrs have suffered with breast cysts, due to being one of the " regulars" at my breast clinic perhaps I literally took my Consultant at his word when he said that hey weren’t going to go away anytime soon and it was something I needed to live with. Generally I have hem drained and all is well for a few months. Last month, I turned over in bed and felt a new lump, I went to my GP and got an urgent referral, I had a mammogram as my last one was 2 yrs ago and then an ultrasound. This is when I started to worry as the Doctor said it wasn’t a cyst so she would take some biopsies, she said under my armpits were clear but she just couldn’t tell what this lump was. Back to the Consultant who was sat with a nurse, I then started to panic and cry, the consultant said it was too early for tears and whatever it was t was small and we would deal with it. 10 days later I went back for he results and was relieved that they were clear, however apparently I have a papiloma which is a wart like lesion? The consultant has booked me in to remove it the day after I return from my holiday on 11 sep. the nurse said hey were leaving no stones unturned and this was a good result, I’m not so sure? They didn’t mention milk ducts or glands and just said papiloma, the consultant said it felt slightly thick and he thinks its better to remove it. Everything I’ve read refers to intraductal papiloma s, I’m not sure if this is what I’ve even got? When I went for my pre op assessment this week it said my surgery was a biopsy I think? I haven’t got a nipple discharge which seems to be a symptom in most cases just a hard lump which is uncomfortable and tender to the touch, no where near my nipple but on the side of my breast just about mid way down. So, I’m now trying to not think about it and look forward to my holiday to Turkey, but its just there in the back of my mind every minute of the day, its the what if that scares me as I’ve now got another wait after the surgery for results. I’m sorry this has been lengthy and thank you for taking the time to read this. I must say you all do such an amazing job of comforting and supporting each other. Sending big hugs to you all. Xx
Hi holidaygal1966,
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums, you’ve come to the right place for some good, honest support from the many informed users of this site.
While you are waiting for replies, I have put for you below links to some of BCC’s publications you might find helpful. Also our helpline team are just a free phone call away, 0808 800 6000 lines open Mon-Fri 9-5 and Sat 10-2.
This is our publication for Intraductal papilloma, but if it’s not what you are looking for I am sure our helpline team will be able to talk to you more.
www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/benign-breast-conditions/intraductal-papilloma-bcc79
Take care,
Jo, Moderator
Hi holidaygal - i’m sorry you haven’t come back to a number of responses, it can be very disheartening when that happens, and i’m sorry too that i don’t have any answers for you, having had no experience you describe. I understand you must be worried but i too believe to have it removed s a good outcome, scary i know! Please let us know how it goes - wishing you well.x L.
a papilloma is often called an intraductal papilloma or a papillary lesion… they basically all mean the same thing.
they like to remove them as very occasionally more abnormal cells can develop within the lesion if they leave it… so i would take it as a good catch that they have found a change very early which could potentially turn into pre-cancerous cells if it wasnt removed.
good luck with your op