Breast Paget Disease: Origin, Symptoms, Therapies, and Further Information
Paget's disease of the breast is a relatively uncommon type of breast cancer, affecting about 1% to 4% of females diagnosed with the disease in the United Kingdom. This condition is characterised by changes to the nipple and areola, such as redness, scaling, or the development of a vesicular rash, itching, burning sensations, nipple retraction or inversion, ulceration, and blood-tinged discharge.
Despite similar treatment approaches, Black people in the United States have more negative outcomes for Paget's disease of the breast, largely due to social determinants of health and more advanced disease at diagnosis. More research is necessary to understand the impact of structural inequity on the outcomes for Black people with this disease.
Paget's disease is often associated with underlying breast cancer, either ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive breast cancer. Risk factors for developing this condition are similar to those for other types of breast cancer, including age, personal history of breast cancer or certain breast conditions, having a close relative with breast cancer, denser breast tissue, genetic differences such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
If these symptoms are present, a biopsy of the nipple tissue is the definitive diagnostic method to identify Paget cells and confirm the diagnosis. Imaging studies are often needed to detect any underlying breast cancer. It is important to distinguish Paget's disease from other conditions with similar signs, such as nipple eczema or benign lesions like nipple adenoma, which can cause nipple distortion or crusting as well.
Early recognition of these signs is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment, which may include breast-conserving surgery with radiation or mastectomy depending on the extent of disease. Treatment options for Paget's disease of the breast may also include radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy.
The overall 5-year survival rate for Paget's disease of the breast with DCIS is 97.5%, while the overall survival rate after 5 years for those with a different type of underlying cancer is less, at 84.1%. Hormone treatment, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy can reduce the risk of the cancer spreading.
If you experience any nipple or skin changes on the breast, it is essential to tell a doctor right away, as Paget's disease may not respond to treatments for eczema and could be more serious. Regular self-examinations and routine screenings are also crucial for early detection and successful treatment of breast cancer.
- Paget's disease of the breast, characterized by changes in the nipple and areola, can be a signs of a relatively uncommon type of breast cancer that affects about 1% to 4% of women diagnosed with the disease in the United Kingdom.
- Despite similar treatment approaches, Black people in the United States have more negative outcomes for Paget's disease of the breast due to social determinants of health and more advanced disease at diagnosis, requiring more research to understand the impact of structural inequity on the outcomes for Black people with this disease.
- Paget's disease is often associated with underlying breast cancer, either ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive breast cancer, and shares similar risk factors such as age, personal history of breast cancer, certain breast conditions, dense breast tissue, genetic differences, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
- A biopsy of the nipple tissue is the definitive diagnostic method to identify Paget cells and confirm the diagnosis, with imaging studies needed to detect any underlying breast cancer. It's important to distinguish Paget's disease from other conditions with similar signs, such as nipple eczema or benign lesions like nipple adenoma.
- Early recognition of these signs is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment, which may include breast-conserving surgery with radiation, mastectomy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone treatment depending on the extent of disease.
- Regular self-examinations and routine screenings are vital for early detection and successful treatment of breast cancer, as a nipple or skin change on the breast, even if similar to eczema, may indicate a more serious condition like Paget's disease of the breast, and it's essential to inform a doctor immediately.
