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INTRODUCTION
Most
women are not aware of ‘Paget's Disease of the Breast and Genitals', which
relates to a type of skin cancer that can affect either the breast or the
genitals, and can occur in both women and men.
'Paget's
Disease of the Bone' is a very different condition and is in no way related. The
only connection with these two conditions is that the same doctor, Sir James
Paget, who was Queen Victoria’s surgeon, discovered both the bone disease and
the skin cancers. Unfortunately, although unrelated, both conditions carry his
name, which does cause some confusion.
Paget's
Disease of the Breast and Genitals:
This
is a rare form of breast cancer and is on the outside of the breast, on the
nipple and aureole. It appears initially as a rash that may itch, be
uncomfortable or painful, but it will later became a lesion with a crusty outer
edge and which would never be suspected as being breast cancer. The nipple will
not seem any different, but the rash is the first physical sign.
The
rash may started out as a single red pimple on the aureole, which makes one of
the biggest problems with Paget's disease of the nipple being that the symptoms
appear to be harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin inflammation or
infection, leading to unfortunate delays in detection and care.
What
are the symptoms?
- A
persistent redness, oozing, and crusting of your nipple causing it to itch
and burn
- A sore on
your nipple that will not heal
- Usually
only one nipple is affected
How
is it diagnosed?
Your
doctor will do a physical examination and should suggest a mammogram of both
breasts being done immediately.
Although
the redness, oozing and crusting might closely resemble dermatitis,
(inflammation of the skin), your doctor should suspect cancer despite the fact
that the sore is only on one breast. Your doctor should also immediately order a
biopsy of your sore to confirm the symptoms.
This
message must be taken seriously and passed on to as many relatives, friends and
colleagues as possible… it could save someone's life, perhaps your own or
somebody close to you.
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