Sign up for our newsletter

Paget’s Disease is a specific type of cancer of the Breast.

Often this beast cancer is seen with changes in the nipple and sometimes referred to as Paget’s Carcinoma.

This means it is different than than typical breast cancer that is seen or even expected.

Has an appearance similar to Eczema.

This means that it can be missed.

A ductal carcinoma that is well defined is 1% of all Breast Cancer

Found in the ductal tissue of the nipple and significant changes to the nipple can be seen in some cases.

There can be dark changes around the nipple.

Often one or two tumors can also be found inside the breast.

Unfortunately, it can be misdiagnosed initially as symptoms are similar to other non-concerning breast conditions.

Cancer can be seen in both men and women, but is more often seen in women.

Symptoms can be present 6-8 months before a diagnosis is made due to belief it it something else going on.

Symptoms

• Rash
• Itching
• Burning of the nipple followed by small ulcers on nipple
• Nipple Discharge
• Nipple inversion
• Crusting of skin

Diagnosis

• Biopsy is essential for diagnosis.
• Mammogram
• Cytology

Treatment

• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Lumpectomy
• Mastectomy [removal of one or both breasts]

Prognosis

• The outlook for people diagnosed with Paget disease of the breast depends on a variety of factors.
• This includes the presence or absence of invasive cancer in the affected breast.
• If invasive cancer is present, whether or not it has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

History

• Paget disease of the breast is named after the 19th century British doctor Sir James Paget.
• Back in 1874 he noted that there might be a relationship between changes in the nipple and breast cancer.
• There are several other diseases are named after Sir James Paget,

–  Including Paget Disease of bone, Extramammary Paget disease (which includes Paget disease of the vulva and Paget disease of the penis).

These other diseases are not related to Paget disease of the breast.