Paget’s disease of the breast is a rare form of breast cancer. Paget’s disease of the breast starts in the nipple and extends to the dark circle of skin (areola) around the nipple.
The disease occurs more frequently in women over 50 years of age. Most women with Paget’s disease of the breast have underlying ductal breast cancer (in situ or, less commonly, invasive). Only in rare cases is thecancer confined to the nipple itself.
This cancer usually affects the skin and nipple (areola) around it. It is easy to mistake the signs and symptoms of Paget’s disease of the breast with skin irritation (dermatitis) or other skin conditions noncancerous (benign).
Possible signs and symptoms include skin peeling or flaking of the nipple.
Exudation or hardening of the skin resembling eczema on the nipple, areola, or both.
Itching.
Redness.
A tingling or burning sensation.
Nipples straw-colored or bloody discharge.
flat or inverted nipple.
A lump in the chest.
Signs and symptoms usually occur in one breast . The disease usually starts in the nipple and can spread to the areola areas and other areas of the breast. On rare occasions, only the areola is affected.
On average, women experience signs and symptoms for six to eight months before the diagnosis is made.
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