Intraductal (or intraductal)Papilloma of the mammary gland is a benign tumor that occurs inside the milk duct. Its size, as a rule, does not exceed several millimeters, but sometimes the tumor grows to several centimeters. In addition, papillomas are single and multiple, the latter are more likely to degenerate into malignant ones. This tumor is hormone-dependent, so most often its symptoms appear after 40 years, when the female hormonal background begins to decrease. Papilloma is classified as a precancerous condition, so its treatment must be carried out without fail. Let's take a closer look at how to recognize and treat this disease.
Symptoms of intraprostatic papilloma
Often the tumor is discovered accidentally during routine and preventive examinations. But it is quite possible to suspect the presence of papilloma on your own. Here are its main symptoms:
If you have discovered these symptoms (or at least one of them), you should contact a mammologist as soon as possible for a qualified examination.
Diagnosis of intraprostatic papilloma
A competent mammologist will not limit himself to justexamination and palpation of the breast. Symptoms characteristic of intraductal papilloma are also inherent in malignant tumors, so it is necessary to make a smear of discharge from the nipple to send for cytological analysis. In addition, there are a number of instrumental methods that can help with diagnostics.
- Ductography is an X-ray image of the mammary glands.gland after filling its ducts with a contrast agent. On ductography, the papilloma will look like a contrast defect. This method is the most informative, as it allows you to assess the general condition of the milk ducts, determine the size of the tumor and its location. However, if atypical cells are detected according to the smear results, then ductography is strictly contraindicated.
- Mammography can detect papilloma only if it has a size larger than 5-7 mm.
- Ultrasound of the mammary glands does not allow to examine the ducts, but it helps to distinguish the papilloma from a malignant neoplasm or other non-prevalent tumors.
- MRI is used mainly for the same purposes as ultrasound.
Treatment of intraprostatic papilloma
If according to the results of cytological analysisIf the tumor does not show signs of malignancy and the patient is not predisposed to cancer, then conservative treatment may be possible. In this case, therapy can be carried out with antiviral drugs, immune-supporting drugs, vitamins (especially C, E and A), and homeopathic remedies can also be used. If the papilloma has become inflamed and an infection has occurred, treatment with antibacterial drugs is necessary, otherwise the consequences may be very unpleasant. However, the preferred method of treating intraductal papilloma of the mammary gland is surgery - sectoral resection. Modern techniques allow surgical treatment with minimal damage to the breast, in which the shape and size of the gland, as a rule, do not change. Recovery after surgery lasts about 5-7 days. After the treatment, constant monitoring by a mammologist is necessary - this will help to identify possible relapses or prevent them in time.
Preventive measures
As already mentioned, papilloma of the mammary gland- this is a hormone-dependent disease, therefore timely detection and treatment of hormonal imbalances in the body, as well as inflammatory diseases of the female genital area are the best measures to prevent the occurrence of this tumor. Regular visits to a gynecologist and mammologist are necessary. In addition, the initial symptoms of the disease can be detected during a self-examination of the breast, which every woman should do.