My mother is 66, South-Italian extraction, only history of family breast cancer is her paternal aunt, diagnosed at 88. Mom has had annual mammo/ultrasnd since 1989 following abnormality in upper-left quad,left breast, decided non-threatening and now smaller. She has had only one event of spontaneous bleeding - 1 month ago - pin-***** sized droplet, wine red colour. Upon squeezing,another droplet: darker, brown. She was referred to a surgeon and he examined her and squeezed a sample and visually identified it as blood, thereby suspecting Pappiloma. New mammo and ultrasound revealed only sludge in one duct suggesting the Pap'ma broke? Surgeon recommends excision of ducts, to confirm as Papilloma and biopsy, but left timetable to us. We have a follow-up consult/exam in 4 months; and regular exams every 6 mos and mammo/ultrsnd yearly now necessary.
Papilloma is classed as precancerous, though not always becoming malignant. Also patients remain at higher risk for future breast cancer, ducts excision notwithdstanding. Can this be safely monitored rather than undergo surgery - and how best, or must this come out?
Is there an alternative to ducts excision surgery? For example, can an MRI rule out cancer now and is regular monitoring a safe alternative.
Questions I in my mind: Will the Papilloma definitely grow back? Is there a notion of timeframe? How often do Papillomas become themselves cancerous? How often does other breast cancer occur in papilloma patients? Can you answer these and/or suggest any links/resources for further information on Papilloma? Thank you.