Paget's disease of the breast
|
|
Paget's disease of the breast is named after Sir James Paget, an English surgeon who first described this condition in 1874, this condition is also known as 'Paget's disease of the nipple'. Paget's disease is present in 2% of all breast cancers. It results from an intraepithelial spread of malignant cells from an underlying intraductal carcinoma of the breast.
Outwardly it may have the appearance of eczema - with skin changes involving the nipple. Usually only affecting one nipple, there may be redness, oozing and crusting and a sore that does not heal.
Recommended tests are a mammogram and a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment usually involves some kind of mastectomy to surgically remove the tumour. Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy may be necessary.