What is Paget’s Disease of the Breast
Paget’s disease of the breast is a rare form of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) that specifically affects the nipple and areola. However, in about 30-50% of cases, there is also an underlying invasive breast cancer present in the same breast.How It Starts
So while Paget’s disease involves the skin of the nipple and areola, it usually indicates a more extensive DCIS hat needs to be addressed elsewhere in the breast. Symptoms Symptoms of Paget’s disease of the breast can easily be mistaken for benign skin conditions like dermatitis or eczema- Flaky or scaly skin on the nipple
- Crusty, oozing, or hardened skin resembling eczema
- Itching or a burning sensation
- Redness and swelling of the nipple and areola
- Nipple discharge (straw-colored or bloody)
- A flattened or inverted nipple
Diagnosis
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of physical exams, imaging tests (such as mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs), and finally a biopsy to confirm the presence of Paget cells. Treatment- Surgery: This can involve a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) or breast-conserving surgery (removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue) followed by radiation therapy.
- Radiation Therapy: Often used after breast-conserving surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: May be recommended if the cancer has spread beyond the breast.
Survival Rates
Survival rates for Paget’s disease of the breast vary based on the stage and whether there is an underlying breast cancer:- 5-Year Survival Rate: Approximately 85%4
- 10-Year Survival Rate: Approximately 75%
Emotional Support
Good Emotional Support is critical to your healing. The ups & downs of diagnosis, medical treatment(s) & surgeries is extremely difficult to effectively navigate – and impossible to do by yourself. Even if everything goes smoothly it is still stressful because you are dealing with cancer, that word in itself is traumatizing. Reach out to your support network to help you emotionally often. Then use Duality to fill in the gaps!
References
- National Cancer Institute (NCI), Covers Paget’s disease of the nipple and treatment options,
- American Cancer Society, Explains how Paget’s disease of the nipple is diagnosed & its connection to ductal carcinoma
- Cleveland Clinic – Discusses Paget’s disease of the breast and treatments