What are the symptoms of Paget's disease of the nipple?
Symptoms of early Paget's disease of the nipple include
redness and mild scaling and flaking of the nipple skin (1). Early symptoms may
cause only mild irritation and may not be enough to prompt a visit to the doctor
(3). Improvement in the skin can occur spontaneously, but this should not be
taken as a sign that the disease has disappeared. More advanced disease may show
more serious destruction of the skin (1). At this stage, the symptoms may
include tingling, itching, increased sensitivity, burning, and pain. There may
also be discharge from the nipple, and the nipple can appear flattened against the
breast (1, 2).
In approximately half of patients with Paget's disease of the nipple, a lump
or mass in the breast can be felt during physical examination (1). In most
cases, Paget's disease of the nipple is initially confined to the nipple, later
spreading to the areola or other regions of the breast (1, 2). The areola is the
circular area of darker skin that surrounds the nipple. Paget's disease of the
nipple can also be found only on the areola, where it may resemble eczema, a noncancerous
itchy red rash (1). Although rare, Paget's disease of the nipple
can occur in both breasts (2).
How is Paget's disease of the nipple diagnosed?
If a health care provider suspects Paget's disease of the nipple, a biopsy of
the nipple skin is performed (1, 2, 3). In a biopsy, the doctor removes a small
sample of tissue. A pathologist examines
the tissue under a microscope to see if Paget cells are present. The pathologist
may use a technique called immunohistochemistry (staining tissues to identify
specific cells) to differentiate Paget cells from other cell types (1). A sample of nipple
discharge may also be examined under a microscope for the presence of Paget
cells (3).
Because most people with Paget's disease of the nipple also have underlying
breast cancer, physical examination and mammography (x-ray of the breast) are
used to make a complete diagnosis.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. Symptoms include a lump in the breast or underarm area, nipple pain, change in breast size or shape, an inverted nipple, nipple discharge, and breast skin changes. Treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, hormone therapy, or surgery.
Paget's disease is a chronic bone disorder due to irregular breakdown and formation of bone tissue. Symptoms of Paget's disease include bone pain, headaches and hearing loss, pressure on nerves, increased head size, hip pain, and damage to cartilage of joints.
Breast lumps in women can have a variety of causes such as breast inflammation, infection, injuries, cancer, and non-cancerous growths. Breast lumps in women are diagnosed with physical exam, mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, and biopsy. Treatment of breast lumps in women depend on the cause.
The breast generally refers to the chest, however, more specifically, to the mammary gland. The mammary gland is a milk producing gland comprised largely of fat. Within the mammary gland is a complex network of branching ducts. The ducts exit from sac-like structures called lobules, which can produce milk in females. The darkened area around the nipple is called the areola. Common medical concerns in regard to the breast include breast lumps, breast cysts, breast cancer, and breast infections.
Male breast cancer accounts for 1% of all breast cancers, and most cases are found in men between the ages of 60 and 70. A man's risk of developing breast cancer is one in 1,000. Signs and symptoms include a firm mass located below the nipple and skin changes around the nipple, including puckering, redness or scaling, retraction and ulceration of the nipple. Treatment depends upon staging and the health of the patient.
Lymphedema is a common chronic, debilitating condition in which excess fluid called lymph collects in tissues and causes swelling in them. It is common after a mastectomy, lumpectomy or breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy.
Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
Lifestyle changes, a healthy antioxidant-rich diet, exercise, and weight reduction can help reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. It's important to be aware of how risk factors such as family history, lifestyle factors, breast conditions, radiation therapy, and hormonal factors may influence your chances of developing breast cancer. Mammography and breast self-examinations are crucial steps in breast cancer prevention.
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