Paget's disease of the breast
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| ICD-10 | C50. | |
|---|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 174 | |
| DiseasesDB | 9500 | |
| eMedicine | derm/305 | |
| MeSH | C04.557.470.200.025.275.625 | |
Paget's disease of the breast, also known as Paget's disease of the nipple, is a condition that outwardly may have the appearance of eczema - with skin changes involving the nipple of the breast. Because of its seemingly innocuous and surface appearance, it often presents late, but it is a condition that may be fatal.
Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) has the same histologic features as Paget's disease of the breast but different locations.
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[edit] Symptoms
Usually only affecting one nipple, there may be redness, oozing and crusting, and a sore that does not heal.
[edit] Causes
Paget's disease is caused by breast cancer and is present in about 2% of all breast cancers. It typically results when malignant cells from an underlying carcinoma that originated in the ducts of the mammary glands spread to the epithelium.
[edit] Diagnosis
Recommended tests are a mammogram and a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, and cytology may also be helpful.
[edit] Treatment
Treatment usually involves some kind of mastectomy to surgically remove the tumour. Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy may be necessary.
[edit] History
The condition is named after Sir James Paget, an English surgeon who first described it in 1874.
