Nipple discharge tested as C4, papilloma under nipple

After having an mri, several scans and mammograms, I have found that I have 2 lesions under my nipple. One of them seems to be a papilloma. As one of my breast has been leaking, nipple discharge was tested and came out as c4. I will have my nipple and a duct removed next week. What I don't understand is that if papillomas are non cancerous, why is the liquid suspiscious? I feel so confused. My surgeon was not clear. Needle Biopsy could not be performed because of the position of lesions. Can anyone help me understand...I feel in limbo!!!!

  • Hello and thanks for posting,

    Most of the time intraductal (duct) papillomas are not cancer, but there is a small chance of some of them being cancer, so surgery is often suggested to remove the tissue for pathology to test the cells in order to know more. If the nipple discharge was suspicious, then the surgeon will want to remove tissue in that area, the duct and the nipple for testing as mentioned above. It is possible to have benign cells and cancer cells close to each other, hence the need for surgery to remove them in that area.

    I can appreciate that this is an anxious time and hope that you get to find out more soon. Do bear in mind that the earlier breast cancer is detected, then the chances of it being successfully treated and cured increases.

    Best wishes,

    Vanda

  • Thank you so much for your explanation! Hopefully, if it is not good news, it has been caught early.