What is a common characteristic of an intraductal papilloma?

Intraductal papillomas are benign breast tumors that often present with a characteristic symptom of bloody nipple discharge. These lesions typically develop in the ducts of the breast tissue and can irritate the duct lining, leading to bleeding. The discharge is often unilateral, meaning it comes from one breast only, and may appear spontaneously without any accompanying mass or pain.

While other features may sometimes associate with breast conditions, the presence of bloody discharge is most strongly linked with intraductal papillomas, which is why this symptom stands out as a common characteristic of these lesions. The differentiating aspect of the bloody discharge helps clinicians identify intraductal papillomas from other breast conditions or lesions, including infections or other benign growths that may not typically present with bleeding.