Paget's Disease (cont.)
What is the outlook for Paget's disease?
The outlook is generally good, particularly if treatment is given before
major changes in the affected bones have occurred. Paget's disease occurs most
frequently in the spine, skull, pelvis, thighs, and lower legs. In general,
symptoms progress slowly, and the disease does not spread to normal bones.
Treatment can control Paget's disease and lessen symptoms, but treatment does
not cure Paget's disease.
Who discovered Paget's disease?
Paget's disease is
named after the English surgeon Sir James Paget, who described the condition in
1877. Paget also discovered the worm that causes trichinosis and described what
is called Paget's disease of the breast. Together with Rudolph Virchow in
Germany, Paget was one of the founders of pathology.
Where can I find more information about Paget's disease?
For further information, contact the Paget's
Disease Foundation.
The Paget's Disease Foundation
120 Wall Street, Suite 1602
New York, NY 10005-4001
Phone: 212-509-5335
Fax: 212-509-8492
pagetfdn@aol.com
- Paget's disease is a chronic bone disorder.
- Paget's
disease frequently causes no symptoms.
- Paget's disease can cause pain in the
bones or joints, headaches and hearing loss, pressure on nerves, increased head
size, bowing of limb, or curvature of spine.
- Tests used to diagnose Paget's
disease include x-rays, blood tests, and bone scanning.
- Paget's disease can
lead to other medical conditions.
- Medical treatment options include aspirin,
other anti-inflammatory medications, pain medications, and medications that slow
the rate of bone turnover, decreasing the activity of Paget's disease.
- Surgical operations may necessary for damaged joints, fractures, severely
deformed bones, or when nerves are being pinched by enlarged bone.
References:
Paget's Disease. New England Journal of Medicine 2006;355:593-600.
Klippel,
J.H., et al. Primer on the Rheumatic Diseases, Springer; 573-575, 2008.
Last Editorial Review: 3/19/2009
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