Paget's disease of the breast, also known as Paget's disease of the nipple, is a rare form of breast cancer. It accounts for less than 5 percent of all breast cancers. Paget's disease of the breast starts in the breast ducts and extends to the skin of the nipple and to the dark circle of skin (areola) around the nipple.
The condition may have the appearance of eczema, with skin changes involving the nipple of the breast. Since the condition is often innocuous and limited to a surface appearance, it is sometimes dismissed, despite the fact that it is indicative of a breast cancer.
Most women with Paget's disease of the breast have underlying infiltrating ductal breast cancer. Only in rare cases is the cancer confined to the nipple itself.
Paget's disease of the breast occurs most often in women over age 50. It can affect men, but this is extremely rare.
Signs and Symptoms of Paget's Disease Of The Breast?
A symptom is something the patient senses and describes, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor notice. For example, drowsiness may be a symptom while dilated pupils may be a sign.
On average, a woman may experience signs and symptoms for six to eight months before a diagnosis is made.
Paget's disease of the breast affects the nipple and its surrounding skin. The signs and symptoms are easily mistaken for skin irritation (dermatitis) or another benign skin condition of the nipple. The first symptom is usually a scaly, red rash affecting the nipple and sometimes the dark area of skin surrounding the nipple (the areola). The rash always affects the nipple first, and may then affect the areola. It does not go away and may become sore.
Paget's disease's symptoms may vary based on the stage of the disease. Signs and symptoms of Paget's disease of the breast may include:
* A burning sensation
* A distinct lump underneath the nipple and areola
* A flattened or inverted nipple
* Affected areas beyond the nipple and areola
* Crusty, oozing or hardened skin resembling eczema, on the nipple, areola or both
* Flaky or scaly skin on the nipple
* Fluctuating skin changes at first (making it appear as if skin is healing on its own)
* Itching
* Redness
* Skin and nipple changes usually in one breast only
* Straw-colored or bloody nipple discharge
Around half of women who have Paget's disease have a breast lump that can be felt at the time it is diagnosed. It is recommended to check nipple and areola on both breasts on a regular basis, such as during breast self-exams. If there is a lump or skin irritation that persists for more than a month, seek medical advice.
It is common that the symptoms disappear for a while and this may be problematic as the patient takes it as a sign that the disease has cured, which is not the case.
Most women do not visit the doctor because they mistake it for contact dermatitis or eczema. Women who feel a lump or notice skin irritation that does not seem to heal for over a month should see a specialist.
If you are being treated for a skin lesion on your breast, and the condition does not resolve with treatment, make a follow-up appointment with your doctor. A biopsy may be recommended (a procedure that collects a small tissue sample for microscopic analysis) to evaluate the affected area.
More Information
source: medicalnewstoday
No comments:
Post a Comment