A 34-year-old woman comes to the office with bleeding from the right nipple. The patient has noticed blood staining her bra on several occasions over the past week but has no fever or breast pain. She has no chronic medical conditions and does not take any medications. Breast examination shows no palpable masses or skin changes. A thin, blood-tinged discharge can be expressed from the right nipple. There are no enlarged axillary lymph nodes. Which of the following is the most likely histopathologic finding in this patient's right breast?

Question

A 34-year-old woman comes to the office with bleeding from the right nipple.  The patient has noticed blood staining her bra on several occasions over the past week but has no fever or breast pain.  She has no chronic medical conditions and does not take any medications.  Breast examination shows no palpable masses or skin changes.  A thin, blood-tinged discharge can be expressed from the right nipple.  There are no enlarged axillary lymph nodes.  Which of the following is the most likely histopathologic finding in this patient's right breast?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Intraductal papilloma is characterized by epithelial and myoepithelial cells lining fibrovascular cores in a cyst wall or duct.  It is the most common cause of bloody nipple discharge and typically presents without breast masses or skin changes.

A 34-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Office with Bleeding from the Right