Papillary

MyPathologyReport
December 1, 2023

In pathology, the term papillary is used to describe finger-like projections of tissue with cells lining the outside surface of the tissue and a central fibrovascular core. Pathologists use the term micropapillary to describe similar but smaller projections of tissue.

Papillary growth is most commonly seen in tumours including both benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tumours. Some nontumoural medical conditions such as diffuse papillary hyperplasia of the thyroid gland can also show a papillary pattern of growth.

Examples of benign (noncancerous) tumours that show papillary growth:

• Intraductal papilloma of the breast
• Pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm
• Renal papillary adenoma
• Myxopapillary ependymoma

Examples of malignant (cancerous) tumours that show papillary growth:

• Papillary thyroid carcinoma
• Adenocarcinoma of the lung
• High grade serous carcinoma of the 
• Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas
• Papillary ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast
• Encapsulated papillary carcinoma of the breast
• Solid papillary carcinoma of the breast
• Papillary renal cell carcinoma
• Clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma
• Low grade non-invasive papillary urothelial carcinoma
• High grade non-invasive papillary urothelial carcinoma

About this article

This article was written by doctors to help you read and understand your pathology report. Contact us if you have questions about this article or your pathology report. For a complete introduction to your pathology report, read this article.

Other helpful resources

Atlas of pathology