About Paget’s disease of the nipple:
Paget’s disease of the breast, also referred to as Paget’s disease of the nipple, is an uncommon form of breast cancer.
The condition is referred to as Paget’s disease of the nipple to distinguish it from Paget’s disease of the bone, which manifests as weak and deformed bones as a result of disruptions to the normal cycle of bone growth.
Other parts of the body can also develop skin cancer of a similar type.
The phrase “Paget’s disease” will be used throughout the remainder of this paragraph to describe either the breast or nipple form of the condition.
Symptoms of Paget’s disease:
The skin on one nipple is typically affected by Paget’s disease, which causes symptoms similar to eczema and manifests as an itchy, red rash on the nipple that may spread to the darker area of surrounding skin (the areola).
Also possible manifestations include a tiny ulcer or psoriasis-like skin patches that are dry, red, and flaky.
Other possible symptoms include:
- along with discernible nipple changes (see above), itchiness or a burning sensation
- the nipple’s skin was gushing blood.
Paget’s disease is extremely unlikely to be present if you have itching, burning, or bleeding but a normal-appearing nipple that isn’t red, dry, or scaly. Nonetheless, you should see a doctor to be sure.
Causes of Paget’s disease:
Paget’s disease frequently indicates breast cancer in the breast tissue that is either behind or distant from the nipple.
Breast cancer may manifest as:
- When cancerous cells spread to nearby breast tissue, the condition is known as invasion.
- Non-invasive refers to a situation in which the cancerous cells are contained in one or more breast areas and cannot spread.
The changes to the nipples are occasionally the only indication that a patient has Paget’s disease.
The majority of people with a lump will have invasive breast cancer, though this does not always mean it has spread. A lump is discovered in the breast in about 50% of all cases of Paget’s disease of the nipple.
When Paget’s disease of the nipple is present, the majority of patients with no lump will have non-invasive breast cancer.
Diagnosing Paget’s disease:
If the skin on your nipple or areola (the darker region of skin surrounding the nipple) changes in any way, you should see your doctor.
The sooner Paget’s disease is diagnosed because it is a type of breast cancer, the better the prognosis is likely to be.
If you notice a lump in your breast, it’s important to visit your doctor for a checkup even though most breast lumps are not cancerous.
Read more about:
- cancer in the breast signs and symptoms
- how Paget’s illness is identified
Treating Paget’s disease:
Breast cancer therapy is also used to treat Paget’s disease.
In contrast to other types of breast cancer, surgery typically involves removing breast tissue, including the nipple and areola. Surgery is typically the first line of treatment.
A variety of things could come after this, including:
- powerful drugs are administered during chemotherapy to kill cancerous cells.
- using high-energy radiation in controlled doses to kill cancerous cells is known as radiotherapy.
- Certain types of cancer can be treated using biological or hormone therapy.
Read more about how Paget’s disease is treated for more information on the likelihood of recovery if Paget’s disease is identified and treated in its early stages.
Preventing Paget’s disease:
It is still debatable whether changing certain aspects of your lifestyle, such as getting more regular exercise and cutting back on alcohol, can lower your risk of getting breast cancer.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme offers free breast screening every three years to all British women aged 47 or older in an effort to aid in the early detection of breast cancer.
Explore the topic of breast cancer prevention further.
Risk factors for breast cancer:
You may be more likely to get breast cancer if you have certain conditions, such as:
- age – as you age, you have a higher risk of getting breast cancer.
- Family history – your risk of developing breast cancer is increased if you have several close relatives who have the disease.
- having received a breast cancer diagnosis in the past
- having previously experienced a benign breast lump. Although this is rare, some types of benign breast lumps may slightly increase your risk.
- being overweight, which is particularly harmful for post-menopausal women
- Alcohol – the amount of alcohol you consume can increase your risk of developing breast cancer.
Information about you:
The National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS) will be informed if you have Paget’s disease of the nipple by your clinical team.
You may opt out of the register at any time, but it aids researchers in their search for more effective ways to diagnose and treat this condition.
Diagnosing Paget’s disease of the nipple:
It’s crucial that you visit your doctor as soon as you notice any changes to the tissue or skin of your breast because Paget’s disease of the nipple is frequently a sign of breast cancer.
If you notice any changes to, in particular, you should notify your doctor.
- the area of skin around your nipple called the areola, which is darker,
- especially any lumps in your breast, are your breasts.
The skin condition eczema, which also results in red, itchy, and dry skin, can be mistaken for Paget’s disease of the nipple.
Paget’s disease is a type of breast cancer, and the earlier it is diagnosed, the better the prognosis is likely to be. As a result, you should see your GP for a diagnosis rather than assuming you have eczema.
Even if you only have a problem with one breast, your doctor will still examine both of them and ask you questions like:
- concerning your symptoms, including their duration
- whether you have eczema in the past or if it is present on any other part of your body.
- whether or not breast cancer runs in your family or personal.
- your age and whether you’ve gone through the menopause (the period-stopping stage for women),
- whether you’re taking any prescription drugs, such as the oral contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is used to treat some menopausal symptoms.
- quantity of alcohol consumed
- if you’ve recently put on weight, how much you weigh, and whether you do
A specialist breast clinic will refer you if your general practitioner suspects you may have breast cancer so they can perform tests there.
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